APDA Conference 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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8:15am MST

Investigating and Defending Prison Cases

Wednesday June 17, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST

This course will provide an overview of Arizona Department of Corrections, rehabilitation and reentry (ADCRR). facilities, some of their policies and the unit that will investigate crimes committed while in prison. We'll discuss the classification of inmates, protective custody, security threat groups, gangs, and prison culture to help you represent a client involved in the prison system.

Faculty

Ralph McLaughlin

Investigator, Blue Line Research & Consulting

Mr. Ralph McLaughlin is the founder and co-owner of the private investigation firm, Blue Line Research & Consulting whose primary work involves criminal defense and mitigation services. Mr. McLaughlin has been employed by the Arizona Department of Corrections both as a line-level... Read More →

Wednesday June 17, 2026 8:15am - 9:45am MST
Capistrano

Prison

CLE Hours 1.5

10:00am MST

Is Originalism Enough? Competing Theories of Law and Constitutional Meaning

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST

Capistrano

Examines whether originalism provides an adequate framework for constitutional interpretation by exploring competing theories of law, including natural law, legal positivism, legal realism, and pragmatic approaches. Provides practical tools for understanding and advancing constitutional arguments grounded in broader jurisprudential traditions shaping how courts interpret the law today.

Faculty

Kevin Heade

Attorney, Pinal Co. Public Defender

Kevin Heade is a Defender Attorney with the Pinal Co. Public Defender in Phoenix, Arizona. His work is focused on criminal appeals and other post-conviction matters. Kevin also serves as President of Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona, the chair of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal... Read More →

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am MST
Capistrano

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

3:15pm MST

Untimely and Successive PCRs after Anderson and Traverso

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST

Capistrano

The Arizona Supreme Court has recently issued a handful of important decisions regarding the availability of relief to defendants raising claims in second or successive PCRs. Learn how to use these new decisions to ensure that your clients’ cases are heard on the merits and are not dismissed as being untimely or precluded.

Faculty

Randy McDonald

Attorney, RB McDonald Law

Zach Buchanan

Attorney, Federal Public Defender

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:45pm MST
Capistrano

Appeals

CLE Hours 1.5

APDA Conference 2026

8:15am MST

Ralph McLaughlin

10:00am MST

Kevin Heade

3:15pm MST

Randy McDonald

Zach Buchanan

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