National Criminal Defense College
The National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute is the original, transformative, two-week program designed exclusively for criminal defense practitioners. Now in our 36th year, we are proud to call thousands of great criminal defense warriors our alumni. This year our Trial Practice Institute will be hosted at the Roger Williams University Law School in Bristol, Rhode Island! We are bringing the transformative magic from Macon, Georgia to Bristol, Rhode Island for the first time ever.
Each two-week session is limited to 104 participants, divided into 13 small groups according to trial experience. The least experienced groups normally have no jury trials. It is not unusual for members of the most experienced group to have tried 75 or more jury cases.
Topics covered in the group exercises include client interviews, jury selection, direct and cross examination, impeachment and closing arguments, among others. Each participant performs daily assignments under the supervision of a member of the nationally recognized faculty. Faculty members rotate daily.
Small group exercises are supplemented by faculty lectures and demonstrations. Professional actors from Laughing Matters are used in the roles of clients and witnesses.
Quotes from Our Alumni
"This experience has changed my life. The quality of the programming and instruction are incomparable, and I learned more here than I thought possible."
"Not only have my skills been increased vastly, but I have also discovered a family of dedicated people to whom I can turn for help within the field.... It is rare that a person gets to learn so much from such enlightened people."
"You folks not only taught skills, but you have imparted great confidence. I can't thank you enough."
"I will never try a criminal case the way I did before attending the NCDC...[It] changed my outlook on the practice of criminal law...made me a better trial lawyer and a better person."
What you need to know about the summer sessions
Tuition
Tuition for 2022 is $2,500.00 per person. Applications are now available in January 2022 and should be submitted by the date indicated. Admissions decisions will be made by April. Tuition for all admitted participants will be due on May 1, 2022.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available from various sources to cover all or part of tuition of those whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent their attendance. Since 2016, NCDC Faculty have contributed money to fund a scholarship honoring NCDC's Founding Dean and Dean Emeritus Deryl Dantzler. There is a scholarship request on the application form itself which will be used to make decisions on the Dantzler Scholarship. Scholarships requirements from other organizations may require additional submissions. (Check with your state or local criminal defense organization to see whether there is a scholarship available in your area.)
NCDC scholarship decisions should be completed no later than the end of April. Please be sure to complete the scholarship request on the application form. Please note: all scholarship recipients must share a room with another participant. (Non-scholarship attendees are welcome to request single rooms.)
Admissions
Applications will exceed enrollment by a substantial number. You are encouraged to apply early. Initial acceptances will be made from Application Forms received by March 30th. Late applications and those not selected will be placed on a waiting list. Members of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and those who represent indigent clients in criminal matters will be given priority. If you are the head of an office that wants to send multiple attorneys to TPI, you are welcome to submit an Office Application which will be available by January 20, 2019. Please note that each individual attorney will still have to submit his or her own individual Application as well so that we will have the information needed to make each admission decision and consider the attorney for proper group placement.
Because of the defense orientation of this program, those who regularly prosecute cases in any court are referred instead to the National College for District Attorneys (NCDA).
Continuing Legal Education Credits
NCDC applies for CLE accreditation for this program in states where participants request credit. NCDC programs are approved in most jurisdictions. Where a state charges for credits, charges are passed along to participants requesting credit from that state.
Meals
Meals provided from tuition include: scheduled social events (1 or 2 dinners) and breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Participants are on their own for all other meals. NCDC recognizes that many of our participants have special diet needs. We try to accommodate those needs wherever we can, but we cannot do this without your help. There will be a place on the application to indicate dietary needs. As always, we want you to enjoy your NCDC experience without worrying about what your next meal will consist of. If you do not provide your dietary information on the form, we may be unable to accommodate you when you arrive.
Cancellations & Substitutions
Tuition for admitted applicants is due around May 1, 2022. Refunds may not be available after that date unless we are able to fill the spot. Substitutions will be allowed in some cases, but only if approved by NCDC. As many instructors are needed for the sessions and lectures associated with the Trial Practice Institute, please refer to our list of faculty members for names of potential instructors.
