In conversation with Katie Hausfeld

What inspired you during the project?

The participants. Due to a shortage of prosecutors throughout the Caribbean, certain police officers are appointed to be police prosecutors, prosecuting many criminal matters (with the exception of the most serious crimes such as rape and murder). However, they are not lawyers and many receive little to no training other than on-the-job training. The police prosecutors typically have an overwhelming case load and are often handed a case to try as they walk into the courtroom. This is true of the police prosecutors in Grenada as well. Yet they are such fierce advocates for justice and worked incredibly hard over our three days together to improve their trial advocacy skills. 

What was the most fulfilling aspect of the work?

Watching the police prosecutors’ confidence as advocates grow from the start of the training until the end. Through a combination of lectures and smaller hands-on workshops, we worked with the officers to help them develop tips and tricks for how to approach their cases, craft case theories, distill complex concepts, and quickly prepare to elicit testimony. We also spent time discussing the unique challenges that police prosecutors face when preparing their cases with limited time and resources. While the training was focused on best practices, we brainstormed with the police prosecutors to address these limitations while showing them how to implement the techniques they were taught. 

What one word describes your New Perimeter trip?

Enriching.

About Katie Hausfeld

Katie is a partner in DLA Piper's Chicago office.

Full bio

"Watching the police prosecutors’ confidence as advocates grow from the start of the training until the end was the most fulfilling aspect of the work."