Hospitals, HIPAA, and Impaired Driving Cases

The National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID) and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) invite you to join a webinar comprised of subject matter experts who will discuss the general legal principles behind HIPAA and the exceptions it provides for law enforcement and prosecutors conducting investigations into impaired driving cases. They will also provide helpful suggestions to develop cooperative relationships with hospital personnel to positively impact investigations while minimizing the need for them to testify in court. We hope you join us!

Continuing legal education credits are pending approval in Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. More information will be posted on NDAA's website as those credits are approved.

Hospitals, HIPAA, and Impaired Driving Cases-A Guide for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors - National District Attorneys Association (ndaa.org)

Erin Inman

Director, NTLC

National Traffic Law Center with the National District Attorneys Association

Erin Inman is the director of the National Traffic Law Center with the National District Attorneys Association. Prior to joining the NTLC, Erin practiced law in Montana for over 15 years. She was elected to serve as the Prairie County Attorney, launched Montana’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor program, taught at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, and has participated in the design of several criminal justice publications and curricula.

Jayme Derbyshire

Officer, Montgomery County Department of Police

Gaithersburg, MD

Officer Derbyshire has been with Montgomery County Department of Police for twenty-one years. She currently serves as the coordinator for their Chemical Test for Alcohol Unit. In this capacity, she is responsible for various training initiatives, to include an initiative known as Cannabis Impairment Detection Labs. Jayme is a longtime traffic safety champion. She is a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor, and has had the privilege of speaking both locally and nationally on impaired driving. In addition to enforcement efforts, Jayme has spent significant time offering testimony in front of Maryland’s General Assembly in an effort to increase traffic safety through legislative efforts.

Jayme is a recipient of the Maryland Highway Safety Office’s Innovative Program Award, the Montgomery County Department of Police Chief’s Award, the Kevin E. Quinlan Advocacy Award, and was Maryland’s 2022 Drug Recognition Expert of the Year.

Olga Kochar MS, CSSGB

Divisional Director, Laboratory and Transfusion Services

The George Washington University Hospital

Olga Kochar is a visionary, dynamic and innovative leader with over twenty-five years of leadership experience. Demonstrated history of successfully leading high volume and complex laboratory operations, spearheading process improvement initiatives and improving team engagement. Unique blend of executive leadership competencies with guaranteed delivery of exceptional service and advancement of strategic objectives; career record of surpassing organizational expectations through operational excellency. Critical thinker who can apply extensive knowledge in the healthcare industry and government regulations to drive profitability and process improvement. Strategic vision and planning, team building, coaching and mentoring. Exceptional knowledge in regulatory compliance and quality standards; Federal, State and international laws; as well as CAP, EPA, OSHA, Joint Commission and GLP standards. Committed to excellence and patient safety: every patient, every time.

Melissa Shear

Senior Attorney Advisor, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor

DC Highway Safety Office, Washington, D.C.

Since 2012, Melissa Shear has served as the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) for Washington, DC. She is currently the Senior Attorney Advisor for the DC Highway Safety Office, part of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Operations and Infrastructure. Prior to her appointment there, for 17 years Melissa was an Assistant Attorney General at the DC Office of the Attorney General prosecuting a variety of misdemeanor traffic offenses, including impaired and reckless driving cases and operating drug court. Melissa began her legal career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the New York City Law Department where she prosecuted a variety of felony and misdemeanor cases.

As the TSRP, Melissa works as a specialized attorney equipping prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and other traffic safety professionals with the resources necessary to combat impaired driving. As a nationally recognized expert in impaired driving, Melissa provides training and legal advice, renders trial assistance to prosecutors and officers, and drafts legislation. She also educates interested stakeholders and community members in the fight against impaired driving. Melissa leads the Public Policy committee for the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, serves on the governance committee for the Governor Highway Safety Association, and is the DRE coordinator for DC.

When not fighting to keep the District’s roads safe, Melissa is an avid foodie. You can always find her searching for her next culinary adventure, exploring new restaurants, or sipping tequila. At home, Melissa creates a mean charcuterie board, unabashedly loves Bravo tv shows, and loves scrolling through TikTok.

Melissa graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She received her juris doctorate from New York Law School. While originally from Baltimore, Melissa resides in Bethesda, MD with her husband, two sons, and Havanese pup Luann.

Resources