On September 30 Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law will present “A Conversation About Confidential Jailhouse Informants,” a presentation developed as a response to the controversy surrounding the People v. Scott Dekraai case and the related pre-trial hearings focusing on the alleged misuse of informants in the Orange County jail. (Dekraai confessed to murdering eight people in a Seal Beach salon.) As a result of the rulings, there have been numerous articles published about the actions of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. The Dekraai judge eventually recused the District Attorney’s Office and that recusal has been appealed.

This presentation provides an opportunity for representatives from the District Attorney’s Office and the criminal defense bar to discuss, in an academic debate format, the issues raised by the Dekraai case and the use of confidential jailhouse informants in general. Each side will present for 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of questions from the audience.

Featuring:

  • Ebrahim Baytieh, Assistant District Attorney at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office
  • Jack M. Earley, Certified Criminal Law Specialist and Founding President of the Orange County Criminal Defense Bar Association
  • David E. Swanson, Certified Criminal Law Specialist
  • Jim Tanizaki, Senior Assistant District Attorney at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office

The event will be moderated by Fowler School of Law Dean and Donald P. Kennedy Chair in Law and Professor of Economics Tom Campbell.

September 30, 2015
5-6:30 p.m.
Kennedy Hall Room 237 AB