Local law enforcement agencies attend seminar

by Emily Patterson
For The Post

Athens County prosecuting attorney C. David Warren and his staff conducted its second annual training seminar yesterday for local law enforcement personnel.

Warren said the seminar brought together employees of the county prosecutor’s office and local law enforcement agencies, who normally do not see each other because they work different shifts. The departments discussed issues that have arisen during the past year, such as changes in the law.

“Officers are always asking questions about what they can do better,” said Richard Ross, chief assistant Athens County prosecuting attorney.

Eight law enforcement agencies, including Athens Police Department, Ohio University Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Nelsonville Police Department attended the seminar.

Lisa Eliason, Athens City prosecuting attorney, started the daylong seminar with a presentation on driving under the influence violations and changes in the law. Several recent cases involving sobriety field tests administered by police officers prompted the discussion.

The prosecutors wanted to remind the police departments of the new U.S. Supreme Court ruling saying there are specific ways each test has to be administered in order for it to be used as evidence in court, Warren said.

Michael Huff, assistant Athens County prosecuting attorney, presented a program on report writing. He highlighted information about when reports need to be filed and what precisely needs to be in them. He said he urged law enforcement agencies to turn in the reports quickly because the court officials must issue subpoenas within a week of the incident.

“I enjoyed the seminar immensely,” Huff said. “It was a great opportunity to remind the participants of things we can all do in order to do our jobs better.”

During another presentation, the prosecuting attorney’s office gave an example of a domestic violence case, demonstrating how contradictory statements from witnesses can complicate cases, Warren said.

In the arrest, search and seizure presentation, Ross spoke about a case law dealing with when to read a suspect his or her Miranda warning and when to obtain a search warrant. The last topic covered at the conference was the grand jury process, how it works and what law enforcement can do to organize its cases before they are brought before the grand jury, Ross said.

Ross said he expects the format will remain basically the same next year. The topics will change slightly depending on cases that arise or if the courts make any changes in the law.