Battered Woman Syndrome: Navigating Defense Strategies in Criminal and Family Law Cases

Elisa Reiter
Elisa Reiter | Calabrese Budner

Elisa Reiter is a highly experienced Texas family lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Family Law and Child Welfare Law.

On-Demand: November 7, 2024

2 hour CLE

On-Demand Video

Receive access to recorded class and earn self-study credit. Recording is made available 5 business days after live broadcast.

Program Summary

Battered Woman Syndrome (“BWS”) a form of PTSD, is characterized by anxiety, hypervigilance, and learned helplessness. Battered women have suffered waves of abuse – including a three-phase cycle of tension building, violent outbursts by their attacker, and repeated reconciliations with their abuser. In criminal cases, BWS can support claims of self-defense by explaining the abused woman’s reasonable fear of imminent danger. In family law cases, BWS can impact custody decisions and divorce proceedings, particularly where there is evidence of coercive control not only of “mom” but of that abuse occurring in the presence of the parties’ minor children. Elisa Reiter’s seminar will cover all this and more.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Definition and scope
  • Expert testimony and legal application
  • Assessment and diagnosis
  • Perspective, treatment and more

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Elisa Reiter_myLawCLEElisa Reiter | Calabrese Budner

Elisa Reiter is a highly experienced Texas family lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Family Law and Child Welfare Law. With decades of experience in complex family law litigation, she is known as a “powerhouse at the courthouse.” Elisa has an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell, and has been recognized as a SuperLawyer for many years. She frequently shares her expertise through publications in nationally recognized periodicals, with over 150 articles in Texas Lawyer, New York Law Journal, Daily Business Review, National Law Journal, and other prominent journals. In addition to her practice, Elisa has served on and chaired the Texas Family Law Exam Commission and taught family law as an adjunct professor at SMU. A frequent presenter for lawyers and mental health professionals, she is honored to present for myLawCLE.

Agenda

I. Definition and scope | 2:00pm – 2:30pm

II. Recent Court Decisions and Regulatory Guidance | 2:30pm – 3:00pm

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

III. Assessment and diagnosis | 3:10pm – 3:40pm

IV. Perspective, treatment and more | 3:40pm – 4:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Colorado

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2.5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via Attorney Submission.
Georgia

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Illinois

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Indiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Maryland

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Minnesota

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

The Federal Bar Association reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney's behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
120 General Minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Nevada

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Oklahoma

Approved for CLE Credits
2.5 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
2 General Hours

Tennessee

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
2 General Hours Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
2 Law and Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washington via Attorney Submission. myLawCLE will supply Washington state attorneys with instructions on how to gain credit.
Wisconsin

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

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  • Over 1,000 Live CLE Webinars each year
  • All CLE webinars broadcasted in last 12 months
  • Programs covering over 35 practice areas
  • Hot topics & changes in the law
  • All formats: Live, Replay, and On-demand
  • Accreditation in every state

Access every CLE webinar,
every format, all year long!

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