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California attorneys must complete a minimum of 25 credit hours of approved continuing legal education activities every 3 years including at least 4 hours of Ethics, 1 hour of Civility, 1 hour of Technology, 2 hours of Competence and 2 hours of Elimination of Bias. Additionally, at least one of the hours in Elimination of Bias must be an approved Implicit Bias program.
At least 12.5 of the credit hours must be in a "Participatory" format. The remaining hours can be in a self-study format.
**The State Bar of California is implementing changes to the MCLE course requirements effective October 1, 2023. Beginning with the compliance period ending March 29, 2025, licensees will be required to also complete and report compliance on the following new subfields:
Technology in the Practice of Law (one credit)
Civility in the Legal Profession (one credit)
Competence (Increased from one credit to two)
California attorneys may earn all 25 hours with the United Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Our Online and iOS/Android App platforms are automatically deemed participatory and our MP3/MP4 downloaded courses may also be taken in participatory form as well.
California MCLE rules do not allow carryover. Credit for participating in a CLE activity may not be earned forward from one compliance period to another.
Members are required to comply online under “My State Bar Profile” www.calbar.ca.gov by attesting under penalty of perjury that the member has complied with the education requirement or is exempt and the nature of the exemption. Attorneys who are unable to comply online must contact the State Bar’s Member Services Center 888-800-3400.
State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
(t) 415-538-2100
(f) 415-538-2180 mcle.calbar.ca.gov
So, Do I Have to Go to Jail?” Ethical Considerations for Prosecutors and Defense Counsel at Sentencing
United Institute for Continuing Legal Education is a CLE provider accredited by the California State Bar, Provider #15390.
To view our full accreditation details please .
Ethics Credits
1
$34
LIVE WEBINAR
April 9
Thursday, April 9, 2026
2:00PM - 3:00PM Eastern Time (EDT)
About This Course
One of the most consequential questions in any criminal case is simple: “So, do I have to go to jail?” For defense counsel, this question often comes from a client confronting the possibility of incarceration. For prosecutors, it reflects the gravity of decisions surrounding sentencing recommendations and the exercise of discretion.
This program examines the ethical considerations and professional responsibilities that arise when attorneys address the prospect of incarceration. The course reviews key ethical rules and professional standards governing prosecutorial discretion, defense counsel’s duties to advise clients, and the obligations that arise during sentencing advocacy.
Participants will gain practical guidance on navigating these ethical issues while advising clients, evaluating sentencing positions, and advocating before the court. The program aims to help practitioners approach sentencing decisions in a manner that is both legally sound and ethically responsible.
