VAWP

Violence Against Women Project

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A 1986 graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School, Mr. Tanner began his career in private practice where he successfully defended felony and misdemeanor cases. He joined the Prosecutor's Office in Montcalm County, Michigan, in1994 and was made Chief Assistant in 1999. He was primarily responsible for prosecuting felony cases. In April of 2003 he joined the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan as the Violence Against Women Training Attorney.

While still in private practice Mr. Tanner was named 1990 Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year by the State Bar of Michigan. In 1996 he was recognized by the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal for excellence in prosecution of a serial arsonist.

Prior to joining the PAAM staff he was an active member, serving on the Association's DNA Committee. He is a frequent lecturer and instructor for PAAM, where he has presented on basic trial advocacy, presentation of expert testimony in Domestic Violence cases, cross examination of experts, presentation of demonstrative evidence and the visual trial, DNA evidence, effective opening statements and defense tactics in the drunk/drugged driving case. In February of 2003 he received the Association's Distinguished Faculty Award. He is the author of the chapter "Common Defense Tactics" in the PAAM OUIL Manual. In 2004 the VAW Project published his Domestic Violence Trial Manual.

He has served as faculty several times for the National District Attorney's Association at the National Advocacy Center, lecturing on defense tactics in the drugged driver case, DUI Homicide, and Sexual Assault Trial Advocacy. Mr. Tanner is also an adjunct faculty member of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, teaching Family Violence Practice.

In September of 2002 Mr. Tanner was selected as the inaugural Prosecutor Fellow by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As Prosecutor Fellow he worked closely with the National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators as a liaison between prosecutors and NHTSA. He has served as faculty across the country for NHTSA and the National Traffic Law Center in seminars about drunk driving issues. In 2003 the National Traffic Law Center published his Overcoming Impaired Driving Defenses as part of its Special Topic Series on Targeting Hardcore Impaired Drivers. Mr. Tanner remained active with impaired driving issues after the fellowship ended, working on the update of NHTSA's "Protecting Futures, Saving Lives" curriculum.

In August of 2010 Amy joined the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan as the Violence Against Women Conference Coordinator. She is responsible for the event schedule and training calendar, as well as creation and distribution of announcements, registration, billing and databases. She also assists the training attorney on other matters pertaining to the Violence Against Woman Project.

Serves as the Sexual Assault Project Attorney for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. She has over 10 years experience in the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office. Anna's many duties include collaborating on the creation of a Sexual Assault Trial Manual, similar to the popular DV Trial Manual. She has been working closely with the MDVPTB and other partners on a new project to build capacity to establish Sexual Assault Response Teams, as well as review the existing sexual assault forensic evidence kit. Anna also presents monthly webinars on key topics in the area of non-stranger sexual assault prosecution. Anna is available for technical assistance through the Violence Against Women Project's existing list serve or at aecraprotta@gmail.com.