LIVE: Intersection Between the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Criminal Trial Process
December 11, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Pacific
December 11, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Pacific
1.5 Hours | 1.5 CEs
$125 Registration | $100 Early Registration (through December 4th) | Live Virtual Training via Zoom
Michael Perlin, JD and Heather Ellis Cucolo, JD present a live virtual professional training program on Intersection Between the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Criminal Trial Process in partnership with the Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates, LLC.
This program will consider the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) to select pertinent aspects of the criminal justice process and system. Although this correlation is remarkably under-considered in academia and binding caselaw, it is one that should be of great interest to those who work in all facets of the criminal justice system, as well as to researchers who have considered the application of the ADA to criminal adjudication. The presenters will focus on issues that affect persons with a mental illness or disability in the trial process and particularly examine how specific factors such as quality of counsel, court interpretation, and expert testimony influence the protection of disability rights. The training will also focus on the use of civil litigation, through Title II of the ADA, to effectuate legal remedies and enforce the application of constitutional rights during the criminal trial process and subsequent confinement, looking at what impact, if any, the ADA has had for civil plaintiffs alleging harm and failure to accommodate their disability. After a full discussion of the issues presented, an analysis of the impact and benefit of therapeutic jurisprudence on this area will be examined.
This program is intended for professionals and scholars working at the intersection of disability rights and the criminal justice system. It will be especially valuable to judges, attorneys, law enforcement, correctional staff, mental health professionals, ADA compliance officers, and researchers focused on criminal law or disability policy. Policymakers and advocates seeking to understand and improve the application of the ADA within the trial process and confinement settings will also benefit.
Training Outline:
Intended Audience
This live program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals.
Experience Level
This live program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.
CE / CPD Credit
APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC: Click here for state and other regional board approvals.
Presented By
Heather Ellis Cucolo, JD
Heather Ellis Cucolo is a Distinguished Adjunct professor of law and the facilitator of the joint JD/MA program with John Jay College of Criminal Justice, at New York Law School (NYLS). She is also an adjunct professor in the JM Program at Emory University School of Law, and a Fellowship faculty mem...
Presented By
Michael Perlin, JD
Michael L. Perlin is Professor of Law Emeritus at New York Law School (NYLS), founding director of NYLS’s Online Mental Disability Law Program, and founding director of NYLS’s International Mental Disability Law Reform Project in its Justice Action Center. He is also the co-founder of Mental Disabil...
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:
Describe specific issues in the criminal trial and adjudication process that affect persons with a mental illness or disability
Describe the significance of quality counsel, expert testimony, and judicial rulings in the protection of the rights of persons with a disability
Describe how civil rights litigation under Title II of the ADA has addressed the abysmal conditions and harsh environments of prisons and on death rows
Describe how the framework of therapeutic jurisprudence and the need for dignity and compassion can enhance positive outcomes in the overall process
Live Event Policy
Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please contact our group training team.
Event Communications
When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add caps@paloaltou.edu to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.
Cancellation Policy
Have a sudden change of plans and are unable to attend live? No worries; you will be given access to the on-demand version of the program once available. Please note if you attend live, no access to the recording will be given.
Event Conduct
Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.
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Transforming mental health professionals into experts
Expert Instructors
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CE Credit
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Convenience & Flexibility
Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!
Program Partner
Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates (MDLPA)
We are proud to partner with Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates, LLC for this training. MDLPA is a boutique educational training company that offers specialized mental disability law consulting, the creation or enhancement of distance learning programs, in-house or online courses, and day or weekend training seminars to reputable organizations, educational institutions, professional groups, and advocacy groups focused on providing advanced knowledge and skills to persons working with marginalized populations.
