TUSCALOOSA - U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town will conduct training Friday in Tuscaloosa for west Alabama law enforcement on constitutional protections concerning search warrants, arrests and trials.
The training will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bedsole Moot Courtroom at the University of Alabama School of Law, 101 Paul Bryant Drive East.
“I consider it my responsibility to provide robust training to prosecutors and members of law enforcement regarding issues we are seeing in both state and federal courts," Town said. “I consider it an honor to be amongst those who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way for the safety of all Alabamians and those prosecutors who ensure that our worst offenders find a bed in prison. This training will have the net effect of improving our investigations and strengthening our prosecutions at all levels."
The U.S. attorney will provide an update for police officers, sheriffs and district attorneys on individual protections provided by the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, including matters related to search and seizure and right to counsel.
The 4th Amendment guarantees the right of individuals to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. The 5th Amendment in criminal cases provides the right to a grand jury, forbids double jeopardy, and protects against self-incrimination. The 6th Amendment protects the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to counsel and the right to an impartial jury. The 6th Amendment also guarantees defendants the right to know the nature of the charges and evidence against them, and who their accusers are.
The training is for law enforcement only and will be closed to the media. Town will be available to the media before the training, between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., outside the moot courtroom.
For more information, contact Peggy Sanford at peggy.sanford@usdoj.gov or 205-244-2020, or Stacy Crane at stacy.crane@usdoj.gov, or 205-244-2015.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
