Serving as your chair for 2007 has been an enjoyable, yet hectic experience. I am pleased to report that the OBA Criminal Law Section is strong, vibrant and ever growing.

The section is lucky to have persons in leadership positions who relish the idea of taking on additional tasks for the greater good. In that vein, I take this opportunity to thank Ben Brown, Larry Stuart, Doug Drummond, Craig Sutter, Brian Hermanson, Jim Drummond and the omnipresent Mike Wilds for giving their time and energy to make the Criminal Law Section remain viable.

Our membership continues to be in excess of 500 members.

The financial status of the section remains strong, thereby allowing increased benefits to our members in the form of timely training and the opportunity to be addressed by nationally known speakers.

The Q&A is published six times a year and continually receives praise for containing articles that are on the cutting edge of the practice of criminal law in Oklahoma. The Q&A is published by editor Doug Drummond. We publish the Q&A electronically via the OBA listserv and make it available on the OBA Web site for all bar members to enjoy.

We continue to hold our Annual Meeting and Luncheon during the OBA’s Annual Meeting. Last year, more than 100 prosecutors, judges and attorneys attended the luncheon. We anticipate setting a section record for attendance at this year’s luncheon with keynote speaker former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico David Iglesias.

Our second annual Forensic Seminar brought prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges from across the state to Oklahoma City to hear presentations from notable instructors including Dr. Robert Block of Tulsa. The forum provided an excellent opportunity for networking and vigorous exchange of ideas for the 100+ attendees. The third annual Forensic Seminar tentatively for spring 2008 is sure to be even better.

Though begun in 2006, the section has almost completed its revision of the Judicial Benchbook – Criminal Edition. This most ambitious endeavor was begun to assist the bench by using talented prosecutors and defense attorneys to improve upon a publication that has not been updated in over 20 years. We anticipate the finalized document to be published prior to the end of 2007.

We continue in our efforts to break down the barriers that threaten friendships and collegiality among prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges.

Our user-friendly Web site continues to grow. This site is comprehensive with our publication, the Q&A, forms, current events and legislative news updates.

The section continues to take positions on proposed legislation only in the event of a consensus of the three corners of our membership (judges, prosecutors and defenders); otherwise the vision of our mission is primarily educational and discursive.

Through its committees, educational programs and highly acclaimed publications, the Criminal Law Section is constantly striving to be more vital and more valuable to its members. We believe that as our publications continue to grow and CLE programs continue to improve, membership is guaranteed to increase.

We appreciate the amazing support system provided by the OBA and the gracious cooperation we have received from the bar staff.

The commitment of the bar leadership to proper and equitable administration of criminal justice has been gratifying, and I am confident our criminal justice system will continue to improve as we continue to debate and seek consensus in our attempts to improve the system. The Criminal Law Section stands ready to play a major role in the positive evolution of a stronger, more positive system. I believe this can be done more efficiently and more fairly with prosecutors and defense attorneys who try to collaborate rather than remain contentious.
The leadership of this section has been and continues to be steadfast in its commitment to provide criminal justice information in an unbiased and efficient manner. Being aware of the lawyers (prosecutors and defense attorneys, alike) who are waiting in the wings to take their turn at the reins of this organization, I am confident that commitment will remain. I congratulate Ben Brown on his chairmanship for 2008 and trust this organization will continue to foster the mutual respect the system and its participants demand and deserve.

Trent H. Baggett
Chairperson