Day 1 – August 19, 2026

8:15 – 8:45 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:45 – 9:00 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
State of the Judiciary
– Justice Theodora Gaïtas

9:30 – 9:35 a.m.
BREAK

9:35 – 10:05 a.m.
Minnesota Attorney General’s Update
– Minnesota Attorney General Keith M. Ellison

10:05 – 10:15 a.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
The Recent Minnesota Decisions Every Criminal Attorney Needs to Know
– Amy R. Lawler & Adam E. Petras

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
FEATURED KEYNOTE
White Collar Crackdown – Fraud Enforcement in Minnesota in 2026
In 2026 Minnesota has been the epicenter of some of the largest federal and state fraud crackdowns in recent U.S. history. This session discusses state and federal cooperation for cases arising out of  recent fraud scandals, prosecutions of Medicaid fraud, new legislation, crypto, digital assets, and other financial crimes.
– Harry M. Jacobs, Joseph H. Thompson & Kristi A. Nielsen

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK
Courtesy of Minnesota CLE
Enjoy lunch on your own or join your colleagues at Fogo de Chão for good food and great conversations.

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

101
Battling the Badge: Advanced Techniques for Cross-Examining the DWI Officer on SFSTs and DRE Protocols
– Daniel J. Koewler, Charles A. Ramsay, David J. Risk & Jeffrey S. Sheridan

102
Applying Minnesota’s New Aiding-and-Abetting Felony-Murder Standards to Old Convictions
– Anders J. Erickson & Robert I. Yount

103
From Geofences to License Plates: Litigating Digital Surveillance After State v. Contreras-Sanchez and Chatrie v. United States
– Shawn P. Webb

1:45 – 1:55 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

1:55 – 2:40 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B

201
The Science of Doubt: Advanced Strategies for Challenging Blood, Breath, and Urine Test Results
– Daniel J. Koewler & Charles A. Ramsay

202
3-Step Foolproof Hearsay Test and the Washington v. Crawford 6th Amendment Testimonial Rule
– Alan F. Pendleton

203
Evaluating Post-Conviction Remedies: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Strategic Choices for Clemency, Expungement, Clean Slate and More
– Clare A. Diegel, Jon Geffen & Carli E. Stark

2:40 – 2:50 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

2:50 – 3:35 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C

301
The Anatomy of an Implied Consent Challenge: Initial Filing, Discovery, Affirmative Defenses, and More
– Caleb J. Anthony & Daniel J. Koewler

302
Errors, Issues, and Impact: Appellate Advocacy for the Criminal Law Practitioner
– Jodie Carlson, Cathryn Middlebrook, Thomas Ragatz & Judge Jon Schmidt

303
Major Sentencing Changes Every Criminal Lawyer Needs to Know
– Linda M. McBrayer, Kelly Lynn Mitchell & Nathaniel J. Reitz

3:35 – 3:45 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Rule 20 and Beyond – Practical and Ethical Considerations for Handling Difficult Clients and Clients with Difficulties
1.0 ethics credit applied for
– Anthony W. Bushnell, Erica Madore & Jennifer L. Pradt

4:45 – 5:15 p.m.
THE ANNUAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE RECEPTION

Day 2 – August 20, 2026

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Minnesota State Court Judges Panel – A Practical Dialogue on Evidence, Courtroom Procedure, and 2026 Practice Dynamics
– Judge Jean E. Burdorf, Judge Leonardo Castro, Judge Bridgid E. Dowdal & Judge Juanita C. Freeman
– Nicole A. Kettwick (moderator)

10:00 – 10:05 a.m.
BREAK

10:05 – 10:50 a.m.
Fraud, Gun Control, Grooming, and More – What Passed and Didn’t Pass – The 2026 Minnesota Legislative Update
– Courtney R. Jasper & Natalia Mydraga

10:50 – 11:00 a.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Review of Important Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
– Judge Colette Routel

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
FEATURED SESSION
Federalism, Sovereignty and Criminal Enforcement in Minnesota
The actions of federal agents in Minnesota in 2026, and the responses of citizens, jurists, and attorneys, are not just disputes about immigration enforcement, but constitutional questions about the limits of federal power over state sovereignty and civil liberties. This session analyzes 10th Amendment state sovereignty, local public safety polices, and the legal ramifications of federal tactical deployments and their intersection with state criminal court cases.
– Professor David A. Schultz

12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION D

401
A New Day for Youth Justice – Analyzing the Impact and Readiness of Minnesota’s New Juvenile Frameworks
– Molly K. Bruner, The Honorable Sean Cahill & John J. Choi

402
The Dirty Dozen – 12 Topics in 120 Minutes
2-hour session
– Marsh J. Halberg (moderator)

• Disabled Datamaster Fuel Cell
  – Jeffrey A. Sheridan
• Reducing Probation Violations
  – Cory R. Tennison
• NHSTA Manual Issues
  – David J. Risk
• The Legal Mind of William Shakespeare
  – Jon Foss
• Top 10 Legal Pet Peeves
  – Michael J. Brandt
• Jesse James and the 1896 Northfield Bank Robbery
  – Councilor Brad Ness
• The First Ten Minutes on a Death Scene
  – Commander Jeff Schwab
• Free the People Legal Advocacy Program
  – Bernice B. Woods
• Sleep CSI – Sleepwalking Homicides, Really?
  – Dr. Michel A. Cramer Bornemann
• Brady Giglio Obligations
  – Marissa A. Lundgren
• A View From the Bench
  – Judge Gina M. Brandt
• SBIRT for DWI Defendants
  – Matthew L. Hartung

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION E

The Dirty Dozen – continued

501
Technology 30-Minute QuickTakes

• Getting Clients in the DIY Era of of Gemini, GhatGPT, and AI Summaries
  – Ryan J. Tauer
• 5 Ways AI Can Help You Better Serve Your Clients
  – Wesley J. Cornwell

LIVE IN-PERSON
Wednesday & Thursday, August 19-20, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

$445 MSBA members

$445 paralegals

$445 government lawyers
Be sure to check the "Government Lawyer / Judge" box in the discounts section during checkout.

$445 judges
Be sure to check the "Government Lawyer / Judge" box in the discounts section during checkout.

$495 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 11.25 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 11.25 credits.

Minnesota CLE also is applying to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 11.25 criminal law specialist credits.

Minnesota CLE also is applying to the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for POST credits.