SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Educator and Attorney at Law
Tonya Craft is an educator at heart. Having spent years as a school teacher, she has an inherent ability to explain complex concepts in an approachable way. Now, armed with extensive legal knowledge and personal experience in the courtroom, she uses these skills to empower others to make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed by red tape and legal jargon.
Engage Your Audience
From kindergarten teacher, to the subject of a highly publicized trial, to becoming an attorney at law, Tonya Craft has quite the story to share. Engage your audience with the riveting recount of how a mother fought for her truth to be heard among a litany of lies and, ultimately, how she was able to move forward through faith and forgiveness.
Client-based representation: Who is in charge?
Many times attorneys forget who works for who. In Tonya’s case, she reminded her attorneys that this was a company. She was the CEO, and they worked for her. Although this may not be a topic attorneys want to hear, it’s something they need to hear. Attorneys are to be advocates for their clients even when they have a difficult individual to deal with. In a civil case, a parent could be facing dire consequences regarding time they will be able to spend with their child. In a criminal case, a client may be facing the rest of their lives in prison. No matter what the possible outcome, attorneys have a responsibility to knowledgeably guide their client while accepting the client has the superior role. Tonya takes a personal approach to remind the attorneys why they became lawyers.
Witness Preparation
Testifying can be a very daunting experience. There are very few individuals and attorneys that have personally sat on the stand and experienced both direct and cross examination in the most grueling of manners. It is not a matter of manipulating anyone. It is a matter of preparation. No one is more qualified to educate others on the nuances of testifying in a criminal or civil trial.
Expert Witnesses – psychological/medical: Educating the jury
Expert witnesses—especially in child abuse allegation cases—are imperative to a successful defense. Jurors need to be taken on a journey. It is the attorney’s responsibility, through expert witness testimony, to educate the jury on relevant issues presented in the case. In allegations of child abuse and/or child molestation, the expert must help the jury answer two vital questions: First, why do children make claims of abuse if they are not true? Second, why did this (or these) particular child(ren) make claims of abuse if it did not occur? Tonya has a deep understanding of what information must be relayed to the jury through the use of expert witnesses as well as how to deliver the information effectively.
Child Testimony: How to question a child on stand – there’s a right way and a wrong way
Many times, allegations of child abuse and/or child molestation rise or fall based on the testimony of a child. Interview techniques have an enormous influence on the interview and testimony of a child. Tonya has over 20 years of experience/education working directly with children. This, combined with her personal and professional legal experience, gives Tonya a depth of understanding in this area that few others possess.
Investigation process: Thorough or deficient?
Unfortunately, there are individuals in positions of authority that believe: “If a child said it, it must be true.” This is not only false but it causes many investigations to be over almost as quickly as they began. Once a child makes a claim (or someone on the child’s behalf), there are many times an “all roads lead to Rome” investigation takes over. Tonya has experienced first hand investigators who have handled child abuse claims in an appropriate manner as well as those which have been flawed from the beginning. Tonya gives insight on what to look for as far as an unbiased, solid, and proper way to handle these investigations. Tonya can also help shine the light on inadequate, biased, and poorly conducted investigations.
Reunification Plan for children: What is in the best interest of the child? What a child needs versus what they want
At the conclusion of both criminal and civil cases, a parent may have been denied any contact with their child(ren). Other times, there may have been limited contact with visitation possibly being supervised. It is crucial when reuniting a child with a parent to focus on the child’s well being first and foremost. However, many reunification plans continue to treat the alienated parent in a way that communicates to the child the parent is “bad” or “unsafe.” Tonya illustrates how a child can endure severe alienation yet still reunite with the parent in an expedited manner that keeps the child’s best interest as the main focus. When filing any request for an alienated parent to reestablish their relationship, a definitive plan must be generated and presented to the courts demonstrating precisely how the plan will be implemented.
Forgiveness: The thousand pound elephant
It is heartbreaking to have someone you called friend almost destroy your life over a falling out. It is disheartening to have a system you once believed in turn a blind eye to truth, justice, and everything you once embraced. Most of all, it is unbearable to have the father of your children not only falsely testify against you but force your daughter to do so as well. Tonya faced the ultimate betrayal. A life was forever altered. A mother’s heart was shattered. Yet through it all, Tonya forgave each and every person. A heart that once seemed irreparable was restored through the grace of forgiveness that can only come from her Heavenly Father. Tonya shares her journey from the darkest place one can imagine to the glorious freedom only God can bring about: complete and utter forgiveness for those who wronged her.
Speaking Engagements
Tonya Craft has been asked to speak to a variety of groups over the last seven years. Tonya has spoken to attorneys at State Bar CLE annual training sessions. Other venues have included faith-based organizations, law schools, and motivational conferences. Below is a list of speaking topics Tonya has addressed. However, other topics may be requested based on an audience’s needs and goals.
Choosing the correct attorney: Do I have a right to question my attorney?
The average person does not know what attorney to choose or what questions to ask. Tonya can guide individuals through the twists and turns of the legal system. No person should be afraid to question the attorney’s experience any more than they question a surgeon’s experience that is about to perform a major procedure on their most beloved family member. It is not only your right as a client but it is your responsibility.
Defendant testimony preparation: The most important decision one can make
To testify or not to testify … that is the question in many criminal trials. It is complex on one hand and simplistic on the other. Tonya has faced this frightening and overwhelming experience. Her attorneys directed her not to take the stand, and she did so anyway. Some time after the trial, Tonya spoke with a number of her jurors and gained insight on their thoughts regarding her decision to testify and her testimony. Tonya can prepare a defendant to testify and can assist the attorneys as well as the defendant on whether the defendant should testify. There is no simple answer, but it is a fundamental question!
Jury Selection: A decision lies in the hands of individuals one has never met!
Why do jurors believe someone is innocent or guilty? What information led them to that conclusion? What evidence was seen as useful to the jurors? What information confused or frustrated the jury? What prejudices or bias did the jury have regarding the charges? How did the defense attorney and prosecutor come across to the jury? The questions are never-ending. Tonya has spoken to jurors on many cases she has worked on, including her own trial. The insight she received is vital to an effective defense. Tonya has learned that no amount of studies or research compare to simply sitting down with former jurors and having a one-on-one conversation. child(ren) make claims of abuse if it did not occur? Tonya has a deep understanding of what information must be relayed to the jury through the use of expert witnesses as well as how to deliver the information effectively.
Theory of the case/Trial Strategies
The verdict is in … guilty or not guilty. In the face of these two choices, it is imperative to formulate a theory that is both believable and compelling. Simply being “not guilty” is insufficient when faced with a false child sexual abuse claim. A theory must be fashioned early on in the case to assist the defense in preparing the case as well as laying out the evidence at trial for the jury. This theory must be well thought out, relative to the charges and claims, and easily delivered to a jury of one’s peers. Tonya will show how to create the appropriate theory along with the tools to implement each component. Walking into a trial with the mindset: “My client has done nothing wrong so we don’t even have to present a case—it’s the prosecutor’s job to prove he/she is guilty,” can send someone straight to prison. “Doing nothing” when faced with claims of child molestation/abuse is simply not acceptable. Additional topics discussed in this presentation include directed verdict (trial strategies), appellate attorney present at trial, demeanor of plaintiff and defense attorneys, attire for witnesses, and witness order.
Parental Alienation: Children being put in the middle of adult difficulties
Children are frequently put in the middle of adults who have disputes over a variety of topics. Tragically one parent, both parents, other relatives, or close family friends taint a child’s opinion of one parent or the other in both criminal cases and civil disputes. Once a child develops a strong negative viewpoint toward a parent, it is difficult for courts to differentiate between legitimate fears and influenced vilification. Tonya has personally navigated this issue with her own children and has developed a strong expertise through the many cases she’s consulted on. With this familiarity, coupled with over 20 years of experience working with children, Tonya is able to illustrate how parental alienation occurs, how to address this phenomenon in criminal and civil cases, and how to guide clients through the process of helping their children to be healthy individuals at the conclusion of the case.
Child interviews: Interview techniques determine information obtained - bias v neutral
Many times, the “first” interview as presented by the prosecution is the forensic interview that takes place in a child advocacy center. However, a child may be “interviewed” a number of times prior to the videotaped forensic interview conducted by the state entity. Did the grandmother ask the child questions? Who first spoke to the child about any allegations? How many questions did this person ask? How long did the conversation last? What type of questions were asked? How many individuals spoke to or asked the child questions prior to the forensic interview? The answers to these questions significantly influence a child’s dialogue at the “formal” forensic interview. Additionally, many interview artifacts must be considered when reviewing the actual forensic interview. Red flags must be recognized and pointed out to the jury. Tonya will present many techniques that can lead to a false claim.
Speaking Topics
- Reunification Plan for Children: In the Best Interest of the Child
- Expert Witnesses – Psychological/Medical: Educating the Jury
- Client Based Representation: Who is in charge?
- Choosing the Correct Attorney
- Defendant Testimony preparation
- Witness Preparation
- Jury Selection
- Child Testimony: How to Question a Child on Stand
- Theory of the Case/Trial Strategies
- Investigation Process: Thorough or Deficient?
- Child Interviews: Bias vs. Neutral.
- Forgiveness: The Thousand Pound Elephant
- Parental Alienation: Children being put in adult difficulties.
Speaking Requests
“The team at Tonya Craft Legal spent so much time listening to me and working to understand my situation. I felt I had a partner I could trust throughout the entire process.”
DAVID F. – CLIENT OF TONYA CRAFT LEGAL