The MIAOWIA’s inaugural training event was a great success.  Everyone in attendance was treated to some of the nation’s best presenters and instructors on DRE, HGN, SFST, GC-MS, and pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.  In attendance from Michigan were the following attorneys, who are all now well trained in the methodology, science and lack of science behind drug recognition evaluations, or DRE protocols.

  1. Robert Whims
  2. Mike Nichols
  3. Patrick Barone
  4. Neil Rockind
  5. Daniel Grow
  6. Jeff Crampton
  7. Karen Philips
  8. Mike Boyle
  9. Barry Poulson
  10. Bart Morris
  11. Mary Chartier
  12. John Targowski
  13. Mitch Foster

Each of the above lawyers is committed to zealously defending any Michigan citizen charged for OWI based on the use of medications and other substances.

Keep checking back for future training opportunities.  The MIAOWIA is committed to providing the highest quality training to Michigan and the Nation’s DUI defense lawyers.  A SFST seminar is already in the works, and future topics will include “Defending the DRE Case.”

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Michigan DRE Training April 2012 in Detroit

by admin on January 17, 2012

T he Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys is proud to announce the April 2012 DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) seminar.  Additionally, and for the first time ever, in addition to the DRE training, students will also receive training on Gas Chromatography. The seminar will be at the Marriot Courtyard in Detroit Michigan.

The cost of the DRE/GC course is $1325.00. Registration has already begun and there is a limited block of hotel rooms. I would suggest everyone register early as there is also a cutoff date. Please contact the MIAOWIA for more information.

This course is a one-of-a-kind class will teach you how to properly evaluate a drunk driving case when the evidence is based off a drug recognition expert evaluation, as well as provide you with a firm understanding of the concepts and techniques of Gas Chromatography – the process used to test an OWI suspects blood.  DRE arrests are the growing  trend nationwide and in Michigan. This seminar is an overview of the key evaluation principles taught in the NHTSA Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP-DRE) curriculum.  This course will cover:

  • The most up-to-date NHTSA/IACP approved DRE training curriculum, protocols;
  • The most up-to-date DRE procedures;
  • Case planning and trial preparation techniques;
  • Medical and scientific basis for evaluating DRE test administration and performance;

In addition, you will be trained in:

  • The development history and effectiveness of the drug recognition process;
  • Physiology of drugs and how they interact and effect the human body;
  • Drug evaluation and classification procedures;
  • Drug evaluation eye examinations including the HGN, VGN, lack of convergence, estimation of pupil size, and pupil reaction to light
  • Vital sign examinations including pulse rates, blood pressure, and body temperature;
  • The seven drug categories;
  • Drug combinations and their effect on human physiology;
  • How to analyze the drug evaluation narrative report and drug influence evaluation sheet;
  • Proper use of the drug evaluation matrix to form drug category classification.

In addition to this one-of-a-kind training you will receive:

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR’S

Lance Platt, Ph.D. is nationally recognized as the top DWI expert witness and training expert.  Mr. Platt is a former Texas Police Officer and has taught attorneys across the country how to evaluate DWI and DRE cases.  Mr. Platt’s training is unique because of his methodology in both training SFST/DRE courses, and preparing case evaluations.  Mr. Platt’s CV can be found here!  Additionally, Dr. Fran Gengo does not teach with any other expert other than Lance Platt.  The only way to get the scientific and medical background behind these tests is to go to medical school or to take this course.

Dr. Fran Gengo currently serves as an Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Neurology and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the SUNYAB School of Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of NY at Buffalo and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. Dr. Gengo also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics at SUNYAB.  Dr. Gengo is extensively published, and has written numerous papers on the effects of various drugs on the central nervous system.  He is currently the Research Director for the Acute Stroke Treatment Program and is involved in several protocols of thrombolytics and neuroprotective agents.

 

 

ITINERARY

NHTSA DECP/DRE Overview Training Syllabus (3 days 20 hours)

DAY 1

Session I  – Clinical Pharmacology – Dr. Fran Gengo

  • Do the Validation Studies actually validate the DRE process: a Statistical Analysis
  • Why the DRE process has failed validation testing: AMA guidelines vs. NHTSA guidelines for Detection of Drugged Driving
  • The complexities of Clinical Pharmacology: factors that influence an individuals response to a medication
  • Forensic Toxicology: what information is contained in a quantitative serum drug level vs. a qualitative urine test
  • Adequate education, training and experience for an expert to opine about the expected effects of a drug on an individual patient/client: DRE technician vs. Clinical Pharmacologist
  • What patient / specific information does an expert need to know and incorporate into an opinion
  • Eye exams: HGN, VGN, LOC and pupil size.  What do they really mean?
  • The flawed logic of the Drug Matrix
  • Reasons why defense lawyer should go to trial rather than settle DRE cases
  • Real examples of DRE cases and defense strategies unique to DRE cases

Session II – Gas Chromatography Overview – Josh Lee, J.D.

  • Gas Chromatography Overview

DAY 2

Session III – Creating the DRE Program – Lance Platt, Ph.D. & Josh Lee, J.D.

  • Program background
  • Training
  • Research
  • Systems examined during DRE evaluation
  • Human physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Identify the twelve major components of the Drug Recognition process
  • Discuss the purpose of each component
  • Methods of ingestion
  • General indicators of impairment
  • Eye indicators of impairment
  • Duration of effects
  • Overdoes symptoms
  • Other conditions mimicking drug impairment

DAY 3

Session IV – Review of a DRE case from 1-12, Lance Platt, Ph.D. & Josh Lee, J.D.

  • Review and discuss an actual DRE arrest evaluation report
  • Review of the “Face Sheet”
  • Cognitive Bias in DRE
  • Trial techniques in DUI drug cases

Session V – Testing

Demonstrate the knowledge of the DRE/DECP evaluation by conducting (5) simulated DRE evaluations and identifying the associated drug category and/or categories of each DRE evaluation.

 

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Top DUI Defense Trial Skills Seminar March 2012

January 16, 2012

Here is your chance to attend one of the Nation’s top DUI defense seminars within driving distance of Detroit, Grand Rapids, and the surrounds.  This is a must attend seminar if you are serious about learning how to try and win DUI cases. The 2012 Advanced DUI Defense Seminar is hosted by the Ohio Association [...]

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Upcoming DRE Course

December 12, 2011

The Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys is proud to announce training on the detection of drivers impaired or under the influence of drugs (DRE). “We are pleased and excited to help facilitate this training for lawyers all over the country,” said Patrick Barone, President of the MIAOWIA. The training will take place in Detroit at [...]

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DataMaster DMT Still Not in Service

December 9, 2011

The following is an excerpt from Laura Berman’s column: The Michigan State Police has coughed up $1.4 million for 228 state-of-the-art alcohol breath analyzers since 2008. So where are they? Three years after a Mansfield, Ohio, company began taking Michigan’s money for a spiffy new fleet of Datamaster DMTs, only 40 machines have been built [...]

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