Vice President, Associate Dean for Experiential Learning, Professor of Law, and Director of the Pro Bono Honors Program
B.A., The University of Texas
J.D., The University of Texas School of Law
Areas of Expertise
- Capital Punishment
- Criminal Procedure
- International Criminal Law
- Skills and Clinical Teaching
Office: 232T
Professor Burnett received a B.A. and J.D. for the University of Texas. After clerking for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, she practiced in Texas both as a prosecutor and defense attorney. She is board certified in criminal law and criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Burnett has taught national and state criminal procedure, international criminal law and procedure, and seminars on the death penalty. In her Associate Dean role she oversees the law school’s clinical programs and pro bono volunteer initiatives. As a clinical professor, she launched the law school’s first direct representation clinic and subsequently has taught in an array of law school’s clinic and externships classes. She is an active instructor and speaker for legal education and training programs in Texas and internationally, and has been active in bar service at local, state and national levels. Burnett is passionate about criminal justice and social policy issues, as well as both criminal and civil models for dispute resolution. She comes to her work with a focus on developing the critical competencies and values the next generation of lawyers will need to serve, lead, and thrive.
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ARTICLES
A Hybrid Model for Teaching Settlement Skills, 70 Wash. U. J.L. & Pol’y 1 (2023). (With Debra Berman)
Choosing Choice: Empowering Indigent Criminal Defendants to Select their Counsel, 60 S. Tex. L. Rev. 277 (2019).
“If Only”: Best Practices For Evidence Retention In The Wake Of The DNA Revolution, 52 S. Tex L. Rev. 335 (2011).
Law Schools Working Together To Increase Access To Justice, 51 S. Tex. L. Rev. 689 (2010). (with Eden Harrington)
Criminal Law, 72 Tex. B.J. 37 (2009). (with Justice Kerry P. FitzGerald)
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 71 Tex. B.J. 25 (2008). (with Justice Kerry P. FitzGerald)
Guidelines and Standards for Texas Capital Counsel: The Dilemma of Enforcement, 34 Am. J. Crim. L. 165 (2007).
Changes to the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure: Ethical and Practical Impacts on Criminal Trial and Appellate Practice, 70 Tex. B.J. 772 (2007). (with Justice Kerry P. FitzGerald)
R. Hanson Lawton Tribute, 48 S. Tex. L. Rev. 833 (2007).
Criminal Law: Confrontation, 70 Tex. B. J. 36 (2007). (with Justice Kerry P. FitzGerald)
ATJ Pro Bono Champion, 69 Tex. B.J. 710 (2006).
Petition for Discretionary Review Revisited: Claimed Malfeasance and Remedial Measures, 69 Tex. B. J. 266 (2006). (with Justice Kerry P. FitzGerald)
Foreword: Prosecutorial Ethics, 47 S. Tex. L. Rev. 4, 677 (2006).
Legal Services to the Poor in Criminal Matters, 2004-2005 State Bar of Texas Committee Reports, 68 Tex. B.J. 632, 637 (2005).
Sex Offenses and the 79 Legislative Session, 8 The San Antonio Defender 3 (2005).
Legal Services to the Poor in Criminal Matters, 2003-2004 State Bar of Texas Committee Reports, 67 Tex. B.J. 556, 565 (2004).
Criminal Consequences of Commotio Cordis, 89 Am. J. Cardiology 210 (2002). (with Barry J. Maron & Matthew J. Mitten)
In Pursuit of Independent, Qualified, and Effective Counsel: the Past and Future of Indigent Criminal Defense in Texas, 42 S. Tex. L. Rev. 595 (2001). (with Michael K. Moore & Allan K. Butcher)
Ethical Dilemmas Confronting a Felony Trial Judge: To Remove or Not to Remove Deficient Counsel, 41 S. Tex. L. Rev. 1315 (2000). (with Jay William Burnett)
Of Crime, Punishment, Community and an Accused’s Responsibility to Plead Guilty: a Response to Gerard Bradley, 40 S. Tex. L. Rev. 281 (1999).
American Courts and the Police, (Istanbul, Turkey: University of Mamara, 1997).
Significant Recent Decision Report, VOICE for the Def., (1986-1994).
Criminal Procedure: Pretrial, Trial and Appeal, 46 SMU L. Rev. 1261 (1993). (with Kerry P. FitzGerald)
A Compass in the Swamp: a Guide to Tactics in State Constitutional Law Challenges, 25 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 75 (1993). (with Neil Colman McCabe)
A New Generation in Public Service, 30 Hous. Law., Jan.-Feb. 1993, at 45.
The Law of Search and Seizure: a Brief Overview, 19 VOICE for the Def., Summer 1990, at 26.
Significant Cases Report, Docket Call (1982 1985).
BOOKS
Texas Criminal Writ Practice. (Austin: International Publishing, 1997). (with John G. Jasuta & Richard Wetzel)
State Constitutional Criminal Procedure: Cases and Materials. (Houston, TX: John Marshall, 1994). (with Neil Colman McCabe)
CHAPTERS
Client Considerations and Correspondence, in Texas Criminal Appellate Manual (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1996). (with Richard Alan Anderson)
Post-Decision Appellate Practice: Motions for Rehearing in the Court of Appeals and Petitions for Discretionary Review, in Texas Criminal Appellate Manual (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1996). (with Matthew W. Paul)
Client Considerations and Correspondence, in Texas Criminal Appellate Manual (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1989). (with Richard Alan Anderson)
Motions for Rehearing in the Court of Appeals and Petitions for Discretionary Review, in Texas Criminal Appellate Manual (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1989). (with Matthew W. Paul)
Motions for Rehearing and Petitions for Discretionary Review, in Texas Criminal Appellate Manual (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1986).
PRESENTATIONS & PROCEEDINGS
Presentation: Bad Act Evidence, in Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, July 2020).
Presentation: Post-Pandemic Logistics Impacting Clinical Education, University of Utah Law School (July 2020).
Practical Tips for Writ Litigators, The University of Texas, Annual Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals (May 2020).
Extraneous Acts: Never Good, Mostly Bad, Always Ugly, in 44th Annual Advanced Criminal Law (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2018). (Chap. 6)
Extraneous Acts: Never Good, Mostly Bad, Always Ugly, in 43rd Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2017). (Chap. 4)
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and Involuntary Guilty Pleas, in Criminal Writs Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2016). (Chap 14)
Extraneous Acts, 41st Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2015). (Chap. 30)
Legal Issues In Child Abuse Cases, 41st Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2015). (Chap. 35)
Extraneous Acts, 40th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2014). (Chap. 3)
Extraneous Acts, 39th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2013). (Chap. 23)
Extraneous Acts, 36th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2010). (Chap. 23)
Extraneous Acts, 35th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2009). (Chap. 7)
Extraneous Offenses, 34th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2008). (Chap. 6)
Extraneous Offenses, 33rd Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2007). (Chap. 7)
Extraneous Acts, 32nd Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2006). (Chap.24)
Sex Crimes, 31st Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2005). (Chap. 41)
Sex Crimes, 30th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2004). (Chap. 31)
Post Conviction Writs, 29th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2003). (Chap. 24)
Texas Punishment, State Bar of Texas Paralegal College (Houston, 2003).
Texas Sex Offense Punishment and Collateral Consequences Update, Criminal Law Seminar (Corpus Christi, TX: Corpus Christi Bar Association, 2003).
When You Don’t Win at Trial: Appeals Is the next Step, 2nd Annual Learn Trial Skills from the Masters: Aggressive Representation in Criminal Court (Houston: South Texas College of Law Houston, 2003). (Tab U)
Sex Offenses, 28th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2002). (Chap. 31)
Non-Capital Punishment in Texas, Texas Fair Defense Act Court Appointed Criminal Law Certification (Midland: Texas Independent Legal Studies, Inc., 2002).
Texas Sex Offense Punishment and Collateral Consequences, Criminal Law Seminar (Corpus Christi, TX: Corpus Christi Bar Association, 2002).
Sex Crimes and Consequences, 27th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 2001). (Chap. 34)
Non-Capital Punishment in Texas: Issues and Options, Certification Seminar (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, Criminal Law & Procedure Section, 1999).
Sex Offenders: Punishment Options and Collateral Consequences, Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1999). (Tab T)
Texas Punishment Update: Recent Federal and Texas Decisions, Sentencing Seminar (Houston, TX: Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, 1999).
Mediation Training in Law School: a Case Study of the Dilemma of Skills Training Pedagogy in Current American Legal Education, Fifth Biennial Dispute Resolution Conference (Houston, TX: University of Houston, Clear Lake, 1998). (with Frank G. Evans and R. Hanson Lawton)
Communications, Perceptions and Stereotypes, Mediation Training Program (Houston, TX: Resolution Forum Inc. & Center for Legal Responsibility, 1998).
Contemporary Issues in the Death Penalty Debate, Texas A&M University, June 1998.
Standards of Review in Criminal Cases, Briefing Attorney Project (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, Appellate Section, 1997). (with Neil Colman McCabe)
Clinical Education in America, (Istanbul, Turkey: University of Mamara, 1997).
Enhancements, Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1997). (Tab R)
Texas Punishment Law, Advanced Criminal Law Short Course (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1996).
Attacking and Defending Enhancements, Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1996). (Tab II)
Punishment: From Dismissal to Death, Certification Seminar (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, Criminal Law & Procedure Section, 1996).
Extraordinary Remedies, Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1995). (with Helen Cassidy) (Tab RR)
Texas Constitutional Law: Attacking the Death Penalty on Independent State Constitutional Grounds, Capital Certification Seminar (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, Criminal Law & Procedure Section, 1995). (with Neil Colman McCabe) (Tab 13)
Texas Criminal Appellate Practice, Advanced Criminal Law Short Course (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1995).
Evidentiary Issues, Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1994). (Tab JJ)
Criminal Law Update, Regional Judicial Conferences (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary, 1994).
Texas Punishment Law, Certification Course (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, Criminal Law & Procedure Section, 1994).
State Appellate Practice, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1993). (with Kerry P. FitzGerald, John G. Jasuta & C. Chris Marshall) (Tab AA)
Texas Punishment Law, Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1993).
Batson v. Kentucky: an Update, Regional Judicial Conference (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary, 1993).
Social Security, Disability and Health Care Benefits for People without Insurance, Aids Law Seminar (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, 1992).
Criminal Law Update, Regional Judicial Conference (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary, 1992).
State Appellate Practice, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1992). (with Kerry P. FitzGerald, John G. Jasuta & C. Chris Marshall) (Tab SS)
Attorney Ethics: Texas Prosecutor Perspective, Justice of the Peace Training Program (Austin: Texas Municipal Court Association, 1992).
Federal Update: Supreme Court Decisions of Note, Judicial Conference: Court of Appeals of 5th District of Texas (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary, 1991).
Prosecutorial Misconduct, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1990). (Tab G)
Batson v. Kentucky: a Review of its Application in Texas Criminal Cases, Judicial Section Annual Conference (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary (1990).
Law of Search and Seizure: a Brief Overview, Regional Judicial Conference (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary, 1990).
Texas Rules of Criminal Evidence: Recent Developments in Relevance, Hearsay, and Opinion/Expert Testimony, Criminal Justice Conference (Austin: Texas Center for the Judiciary, 1990).
Ineffective Assistance and Prosecutorial Misconduct, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1989). (Tab X)
Prosecution and Defense of Enhancement Allegations, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1988). (Tab M)
Criminal Appeals, Criminal Law Institute (Houston: South Texas College of Law Houston, 1988). (with Kerry P. FitzGerald)
Law of Enhancements, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1987).
Issues in Sex Crimes, _____ (Houston, TX: Houston Bar Association, 1987).
Prosecution and Defense of Enhancement Counts, Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course (Austin: State Bar of Texas, 1986). (Tab R)
New Rules of Appellate Procedure, _____ (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1986).(with _____ Morrow)
Evidence of Prior Sexual Acts, _____ (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1985).
Character, Reputation and Opinion Evidence, _____ (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1985).
Petitions for Discretionary Review, _____ (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1984).
Charging Instruments, _____ (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1984).
Evidence of Prior Sexual Conduct, _____ (Austin: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1983).