Mastering Contested Juvenile Blair Hearings

Friday, September 18, 2026

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

2 Hours MCLE Credit  CLE Course No.: Pending

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

This presentation will provide a legal framework that governs juvenile competency and a strategic roadmap for navigating contested competency hearings. Attendees will learn about the relevant constitutional protections as well as the applicable statutes and rules that govern the hearing. This presentation will also cover (1) the initial preparation phase, including the collection of collateral records and the review of state expert evaluations; (2) how to effectively prepare and examine expert witnesses; (3) how to utilize collateral witnesses, and (4) how to structure compelling closing arguments.  Tips from the expert witness perspective will also be discussed.

AGENDA

SPEAKER INFORMATION

Dr. Samantha Horsley received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University in Texas.  She has extensive training and experience in forensic psychology, having completed a predoctoral internship at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Missouri and a postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology at Texas Tech University/Lubbock Regional MHMR.  She is board certified in forensic psychology and is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Board of Forensic Psychology.  Dr. Horsley has worked for the Office of Mental Health Forensic Evaluation Services since 2010, performing competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility/capacity to conform evaluations with juveniles and adults.  She has also worked at the Department of Juvenile Justice, where she conducted post-adjudicatory, psychosexual, and pre-waiver evaluations.  Dr. Horsley is currently the Training Director for the Office of Mental Health’s postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology, and she also holds an academic position as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina.  She additionally serves on the faculty of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.  She has testified as an expert witness numerous times in Family Court and General Sessions Court proceedings and has given several prior CLE presentations.   

Robert Lominack earned his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 1998 and later, as a Prettyman Fellow, he earned his LLM from Georgetown University Law Center. Robert has practiced law in South Carolina since 2000. For over 10 years he specialized in state capital trials and post-conviction work and also assisted with federal capital trial teams across the country. Robert is currently an Assistant Public Defender at the Richland County Public Defender’s Office.