Prosecutors - NCALL - The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life

A significant number of reported cases of elder abuse do not progress through the criminal justice system. Whether an elder abuse case is successfully prosecuted may depend on a prosecuting attorney’s familiarity with effective investigation and prosecution strategies. Further, prosecutors must be able to collaborate across disciplines to increase victim identification, to encourage victims to engage with the criminal system, and to ultimately hold more offenders accountable.

Selected Resources

Prosecuting Elder Abuse: A 2026 Webinar Series for Prosecutors

Prosecutors handling elder abuse cases face unique challenges, from building relationships with older victims and navigating cognitive capacity questions to prosecuting complex financial exploitation and coordinating with law enforcement. Despite their critical role in holding offenders accountable and enhancing older adult safety, prosecutors too often lack the experience and support to approach these cases with confidence. This six-part webinar series provides the tools and strategies to change that.

Each 90-minute webinar features subject matter experts from the field — including experienced prosecutors, investigators, clinicians, and financial crime specialists — offering practical guidance you can apply immediately to strengthen your cases and better support older victims. All webinars will be recorded and made available on demand following the live presentation, along with a companion quick-reference resource tool for prosecutors.

Please note this series is open to prosecutors only, unless otherwise indicated.

All webinars are offered at no cost. All sessions are held from 1:00–2:30 p.m. Central Time.

2026 Webinar Schedule

Communicating Effectively with Older Victims
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Presenters: Peter Tempelis J.D., Waukesha County (WI) District Attorney’s Office and Ann Laatsch J.D., National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life

Effective prosecution starts with effective communication. Learn why working with older victims requires intentional, specialized approaches — and what that looks like in practice. This session is also open to prosecuting agency victim/witness staff.

Working with Law Enforcement
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Presenters: Christopher Merkle, Asst. Chief Investigator, Office of the District Attorney, Boulder, CO and Tara Patet J.D., Senior Prosecutor, St. Paul City Attorney’s Office (ret.)

Elder abuse cases are stronger when prosecutors and detectives collaborate early and often. Hear from both sides of the partnership as to what works.

Working With Financial Institutions on Financial Exploitation Cases
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Presented with the National District Attorneys Association

Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse — and the hardest to unravel. Learn how to work with banks, tell the financial story, and use free investigation tools.

Victims with Diminished Capacity
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Presenters: Candace Heisler J.D., Heisler and Associates and David Franklin, Psy.D., MHA, UC Riverside School of Medicine

Cognitive impairment doesn’t necessarily make a case more difficult. Learn how to distinguish competency from capacity, build evidence-based cases, and counter defense strategies.

Expert Witness Strategies
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Presented with the National District Attorneys Association

Geriatricians, neuropsychologists, and forensic accountants can transform your case — if you know how to find, prepare, and utilize them.

New Legal and Legislative Tools
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Presented with the National District Attorneys Association

New statutes are giving prosecutors stronger tools to address elder abuse. Learn what’s changed and how to put these tools to work in your jurisdiction.

Registration Information

Registration is open to prosecutors only unless otherwise noted.

*We cannot guarantee accessibility requests made less than two weeks before the event.

For questions, contact Ann Laatsch, NCALL Justice System Coordinator, at alaatsch@ncall.us.

This project is supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-24-GK-03047-ALLX awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

Virtual Training for Prosecutors: Webinar Recordings

Elder abuse is a pervasive yet vastly underreported problem. With 11,400 Americans turning 65 every day (Peak 65® Alliance for Lifetime Income), the population is aging, and the incidence of elder abuse can be expected to rise as well. The purpose of this series is to educate prosecutors so they are equipped to make well-informed prosecutorial decisions in elder physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases in order to hold perpetrators accountable, promote public safety, and address victims’ needs.

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The National Institute on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse (NIPEA)

The National Institute on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse (NIPEA)

The National Institute on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse (NIPEA) is a three-and-a-half-day course designed to challenge prosecutors to reevaluate their approach to prosecuting elder abuse cases. Participants receive training on the dynamics of elder abuse as well as practical skills to successfully prosecute these cases, balancing offender accountability with the impact of criminal prosecution on victims. Using a problem-based, interactive format, NIPEA explores the complex issues faced by prosecutors. Topics covered include:

Case evaluation and litigation skills
Unique aspects of prosecuting elder abuse crimes involving domestic violence, sexual assault, neglect, financial exploitation*, psychological abuse, and stalking
Dementia and capacity issues
Common injuries, relevant medical evidence, and the use of medical experts
Ethical issues and prosecutorial leadership
The benefits of developing a coordinated, victim-centered community response
Redefining outcomes and exploring the nature of justice in elder abuse cases
Resources available to support prosecutors handling elder abuse cases

Attendees may qualify for approximately eighteen (18) continuing legal education credit hours including at least one (1) hour of ethics credit.

When is the next NIPEA?

If you would like to be notified about future training opportunities for prosecutors, please fill out this short form.

Contact NCALL Justice System Coordinator, Ann Laatsch, at alaatsch@ncall.us with any questions.

The United States Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative (EJI)

The United States Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative (EJI) supports and coordinates the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The EJI website has an array of materials available to support state and local efforts through training, information, and resources.

EJI website: Elder Abuse Prosecutor Training & Resources page — NCALL worked with the EJI to create an extensive video series that explores many of the critical elements of investigating and prosecuting cases of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

Self-Assessment Tool for Prosecutors

The goal of the self-assessment/CCR assessment tools is to encourage intervening agencies and CCRs to candidly and thoughtfully assess their work and the processes they use. The tools are intended to examine and expand collective thinking and response to elder abuse. They help identify existing practices and introduce new approaches in order to strengthen the overall response. They are meant to facilitate and encourage discussion and raise questions about roles, response, coordination, and common purpose. Questions? Please contact NCALL at ncall@ncall.us.

Response to Elder Abuse: A Self-Assessment Workbook for Prosecution (PDF 6 MB)

Other pages in this section

Civil Attorneys

Civil attorneys and other civil legal system professionals work each day to ensure victim safety and hold offenders accountable for harm to older survivors. Their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of elder abuse, as well as the legal remedies and non-litigation resources available to older survivors, are critical in developing effective intervention strategies to end elder abuse and prevent further harm to older adults.

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Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocates and Programs

Many older survivors will seek the help of domestic and sexual violence advocates and programs in dealing with the abuse they experience. Older victims can benefit from many of the services traditionally offered by domestic violence and sexual assault programs such as individual and peer counseling, support groups, emergency and transitional housing, and specialized economic and legal advocacy.

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Faith Leaders

Many older Americans turn to their faith communities and faith leaders for help when they are experiencing abuse. Older survivors know and deeply trust faith leaders and community members and often reach out for assistance in times of great need. As a faith leader, you can play a critical role in responding to abuse as well as improving access to services and supports for older survivors in your community.

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Healthcare Providers

Health care providers are in a unique position to identify and respond to abuse in later life. Often, many older adults, especially survivors, have an ongoing relationship with one or more health care providers. Primary care physicians, emergency room staff, geriatricians, dentists, physical therapists, and other providers each have an opportunity to see injuries suggesting abuse, neglect, or exploitation, or indicators of trauma.

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Law Enforcement

As first responders, law enforcement officers can play a key role in providing an effective response to abuse in later life at the local level. In many cases, law enforcement can use tools already used in domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, and sexual abuse cases to interview victims and gather evidence. Officers can also benefit from learning about abuse in later life and abuse dynamics; appropriate referral resources for intervention and support for older victims; and working collaboratively with other organizations.

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Professionals Working in Tribal Communities

In many cultures, elders preserve traditions and share wisdom to help ensure community permanency and balance. Indigenous communities often hold elders in a unique and important social position. The dramatic increase in the number of older individuals has led to concern over the well-being of older adults in these communities.

Learn more