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Sunday, January 5, 2014
By Michael Nichols
Categories: Michael J. Nichols, Drunk-Driving, OWI
Mike Nichols, a leader in defending those accused of crimes involving forensic evidence, accepted an invitation to speak at the Mastering Scientific Evidence Course in New Orleans in March, 2014. The course is sponsored by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the National College for DUI Defense. “This opportunity is surreal. I never imagined that I would be asked to speak at a national conference that is considered the best of the best when it comes to continuing legal education for American lawyers in issues regarding science. I have been working on the presentation for a long time before the announcement was made public. The help I have been given by Ted Vosk has been the difference between some ‘good efforts’ and some persuasive arguments to juries and judges. I hope to use Ted’s knowledge that he passed on to me to communicate to other lawyers from around the country on how they can do it.” Nichols is a sustaining member of the National College for DUI Defense and the Michigan delegate to the college.
The Mastering Scientific Evidence Course is an intense 3 day session that involves breakout studies of the instruments used for breath analysis, large presentations on the science of blood analysis for drugs including marijuana, alcohol and other controlled substances. It is considered by many lawyers around the country to be the best educational opportunity merging scientists and lawyers. The session also involves a mock trial in a DUI case. Nichols will be speaking on the topic of Uncertainty/Metrology and Mathematical Truth in Forensic Analysis.
Nichols will also be assisting Mr. Vosk in a full-day workshop at the American Academy of Forensic Science on February 16th, 2014. Generally, the topic concerns the intersection of evidence, the law and persuasion. Nichols will also be presenting on the false positives in mass spectrometry caused by analyzing or measuring “noise” in the instrumentation. He will also be moderating 20 minute presentations on behalf of the Jurisprudence section. The AAFS conference is February 16-23, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The co-program coordinator for the jurisprudence section is the Honorable Donald E. Shelton of Washtenaw County. Nichols says “law enforcement is now focusing on the use of controlled substances – even prescription medications – and legal prohibitions against everyday Americans who take them and try to carry out every day functions including driving. The shortcomings in trying to analyze the amount of these substances in a person at any particular time are surprising. That is why this training is critical.”
For a leader in challenging forensic evidence, contact Mike Nichols at 517.432.9000 or mnichols@nicholslaw.net.