A Primer for First Timers: A Prosecution Beginner's Guide to Injury to a Child Cases from Intake to Trial

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM CT

Location: Dallas A3

Earn 1.25 Credit Hours

Target Audience: Law Enforcement, Prosecutor

Primary Presenter(s)

Summer Elmazi (she/her/hers)

Assistant District Attorney
Dallas County District Attorney's Office

Presentation Handout

Co-Presenter(s)

Jennifer Sawyer (she/her/hers)

Assistant District Attorney
Dallas County District Attorney's Office

This presentation will take a prosecutor from the start of a child injury investigations through the Grand Jury process to trial preparation and ultimate prosecution. This class will provide prosecutors useful tools and techniques to implement when strategizing and handling these offenses, including indictment considerations, witness preparation, and evidence application.

Learning Objectives:

Identify different types of external and internal injuries in children and then identify potential charging decisions.
Learn how to synthesize evidence and witnesses for prosecution and how to incorporate and present this evidence in prosecution.
Utilize direct and circumstantial evidence, including witness testimony, to to shore up the timeline in these cases.