Colorado Animal Welfare Conference Session

Back to Basics: Search and Seizure and Beginning to Build Your Case

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10:45am-12:15pm – August 26, 2024

Westminster Ballroom III

Field Services

This presentation will provide an overview of the Fourth Amendment and relevant search and seizure considerations as applied to animal cruelty and animal welfare investigations. Discussion will include when the Fourth Amendment applies, common warrant exceptions, basic search warrant requirements, and best practices for building a case while ensuring constitutional rights (and your case) are protected. 

 

Trial Preparation: Do’s and Don’ts

Westminster Ballroom III

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1:30-3:15pm – August 26, 2024

Field Services

The first step in preparing for trial starts the minute you begin your investigation. Careful scene documentation, evidence collection, and thorough report writing gives you the foundation needed to build a successful case. While most cases resolve short of trial, its important to understand what your role will be should your case make it to trial and your testimony be required. This presentation will provide an overview of the court process, what you should be prepared for, and how to prepare.

Marissa Martino

Ashley Beck

Ashley Beck is a senior deputy district attorney at the Denver DA’s Office. She started with the DAs office in 2013 and has held a variety of positions including serving as the office’s primary point of contact since 2018 for animal cruelty investigations and case filings. In this role, she collaborates with the Denver Police Department and Denver Animal Protection to ensure these cases are investigated, filed, and appropriately prosecuted. Ms. Beck routinely provides training opportunities for law enforcement and her peers on animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions and is published in the field. She holds a dual BA degree in political science and Spanish from the University of Portland and a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School. Ms. Beck sits on the Board of Directors for the Animal Assistance Foundation and the Colorado POST Board.