The NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project Reacts to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's Exercise of Clemency Power -- Washington, DC (Dec. 27, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) praise New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for commuting the sentences of two prisoners today. As detailed in an official announcement released this afternoon, Governor Cuomo also pardoned 59 individuals today.

Groundbreaking New Conference Report: Judicial Responsibility for Justice in Criminal Courts -- Washington, DC (Dec. 7, 2017) – On April 6 and 7, 2017, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Foundation for Criminal Justice, the Monroe Freedman Institute for the Study of Legal Ethics at Hofstra University's Maurice A. Deane School of Law, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the Center for Court Innovation, and the State of New York Unified Court System convened a conference designed to explore the impediments to and reforms needed to ensure...

Jessica L. Stepan Appointed Associate Executive Director for Strategic Marketing for Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 21, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica L. Stepan as Associate Executive Director for Strategic Marketing. In that position, Jessica will oversee the development of interdepartmental initiatives that enhance the visibility and benefits of NACDL, its programs and its products. 

New Study Reveals 'Profound and Dramatic Understaffing' of Rhode Island Public Defender System-- Washington, DC (Nov. 16, 2017) -- In order to determine whether defenders in Rhode Island are facing a caseload crisis, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants (ABA SCLAID), and the accounting firm of BlumShapiro, undertook an assessment of the Rhode Island Public Defender system ("RIPD").

Washington, DC, Attorney Kobie Flowers Elected to Board of Directors of Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 9, 2017) – Washington, DC, Attorney Kobie Flowers was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s fall meeting, which was held in Boston on October 28, 2017. Flowers’ additional involvements at NACDL include service as a DC Circuit Vice Chair of the Amicus Curiae Committee, Chair of the Diversity Committee, and a member of both the Body Camera Committee and the Sousveillance Task Force.

California Attorney Nan Whitfield Elected to Board of Directors of Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 8, 2017) – California Attorney Nan Whitfield was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s fall meeting, which was held in Boston on October 28, 2017.

Minnesota Attorney JaneAnne Murray Elected to Board of Directors of Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 7, 2017) – Minnesota Attorney JaneAnne Murray was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s fall meeting, which was held in Boston on October 28, 2017.

Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 6, 2017) – On October 28, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented Charles Ogletree, the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and Founding Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented by NACDL President Rick Jones at NACDL’s 2017 Fall Meeting in Boston, MA.

Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker Released from Confinement; Federal Court Defers Action on Habeas Petition -- Washington, DC (Nov. 3, 2017) – Today, shortly before a court proceeding in U.S. District Court before Judge Royce Lamberth challenging a contempt finding against Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker, Chief Defense Counsel for the Military, the government ordered deferment of General John Baker's detention and his immediate release.

UPDATED: Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Provides Strike Force Representation for Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker, Chief Defense Counsel in USS Cole Case at Guantanamo, Held in Contempt, Sentenced; Papers Filed Today in Federal Court in Washington, DC Seek His Immediate Release from Confinement -- Washington, DC (Nov. 2, 2017) Yesterday afternoon, at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Chief Defense Counsel for the Military Commissions Defense Organization Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker was held in contempt by Military Judge Spath...

Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker, Chief Defense Counsel in USS Cole Case at Guantanamo, Held In Contempt, Sentenced; Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Steps in to Provide Strike Force Representation to the General -- Washington, DC (Nov. 1, 2017) – Earlier this afternoon at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Chief Defense Counsel for the Military Commissions Defense Organization Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker was held in contempt by Military Judge Spath and sentenced to 21 days confinement in his quarters and a $1,000 fine.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Endorses Bipartisan Surveillance Legislation Introduced in the Senate and the House -- Washington, DC (Oct. 24, 2017) – Today, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), together with nine additional co-sponsors, introduced the bipartisan USA RIGHTS Act, a bill that significantly reforms warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Releases Primer on Protecting Digital Devices at the Border -- Washington, DC (Oct. 24, 2017) – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has long asserted it has the right to search electronic devices at border crossings and ports of entry.

George D. Perrot Has Charges Dismissed Based on Flawed Microscopic Hair Comparison Analysis Testimony -- Washington, DC (Oct. 20, 2017) – On Wednesday, prosecutors in Massachusetts dismissed charges against George D. Perrot. In January 2016, Perrot was granted a new trial based on newly-discovered evidence that the FBI's microscopic hair comparison testimony contained scientifically invalid statements.

NACDL Past President Barbara E. Bergman to Receive Prestigious University of New Mexico School of Law Distinguished Achievement Award -- Washington, DC (Oct. 20, 2017) – Tonight, at the University of New Mexico School of Law, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Past President Barbara Bergman will be presented with the 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award.

ACLU Brings Federal Class Action Challenging South Carolina Sixth Amendment-Free Zones; Builds on Important NACDL Research -- Washington, DC (Oct. 20, 2017) – Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a federal class action lawsuit against the City of Beaufort and the Town of Bluffton, both in South Carolina.

General Finds Good Cause to Allow the Withdrawal of Three Members of Defense Team in U.S.S. Cole Trial at Military Commissions in Guantanamo; Proceedings Plagued by Government Violations of Attorney-Client Privilege -- Washington, DC (Oct. 13, 2017) – Today, Brig. Gen. John Baker, the Chief Defense Counsel for the Military Commissions Defense Organization, found good cause to allow the withdrawal of three members of the defense team in the case of United States v. Nashiri due to concerns that the government compromised attorney-client confidentiality. 

Draft Surveillance Legislation Represents Step toward Reform, but Falls Far Short -- Washington, DC (Oct. 5, 2017) -- Today Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and John Conyers (D-Mich.), the chair and ranking member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), the chair and ranking member of the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee, presented a bipartisan discussion draft of the "USA Liberty Act" — a bill that would reauthorize and reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Senate Introduction of Strong Criminal Intent Legislation -- Washington, DC (Oct. 3, 2017) – Yesterday, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), David Perdue (R-GA), and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced important legislation to address the erosion of the criminal intent, or mens rea, requirement in federal criminal law, the Mens Rea Reform Act of 2017.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Launches Effort to Provide Pro Bono Counsel to Protesters -- Washington, DC (Sept. 19, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) has a long tradition of fighting to protect constitutional principles and standing up for the individual against the government. In keeping with that tradition, the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ) and NACDL have established the First Amendment Strike Force and Mass Defense Unit.

Cynthia Roseberry Receives Champion of Justice Award from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Sept. 14, 2017) – Earlier today, at its Presidential Summit & Seminar "Race Matters: The Impact on Criminal Justice," the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented Cynthia W. Roseberry with its Champion of Justice Award.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Strongly Urges American Congressional Leadership to Save 'Dreamers' -- Washington, DC (Sept. 6, 2017) – Yesterday, the Trump administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, effective in six months. To date, the program has provided legal protection to some 800,000 undocumented individuals brought to the United States as children.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Opposes Private Prisons; Urges Sweeping Reforms in the Absence of a Ban -- Washington, DC (Aug. 28, 2017) – At its 2017 annual meeting on July 29, 2017, in San Francisco, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) adopted a statement and resolution opposing prison privatization and urging various critical reforms to the extent incarcerated individuals in the United States continue to be housed in privately-operated prisons and jails.

Statement of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on the Presidential Pardon of Rogue Former Maricopa County, AZ, Sheriff Joe Arpaio -- Washington, DC (Aug. 26, 2017) – Rick Jones, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), issued the following statement concerning last night’s pardon by the U.S. President of former Maricopa County, AZ, Sheriff Joe Arpaio

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Families Against Mandatory Minimums Announce NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project -- Washington, DC (Aug. 21, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), with support from the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ), announce today a major state-focused clemency initiative, the NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project, a program designed to help to recruit, train, and provide resource support to pro bono attorneys...

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Responds to Racism, Bigotry, and Violence in Charlottesville, VA -- Washington, DC (Aug. 14, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is profoundly disturbed by recent events in Charlottesville, VA. While NACDL respects the First Amendment rights of all people peaceably to assemble and express their views, even unpopular ones, NACDL deplores violence, racism, and bigotry.

Civil Rights Leader Vanita Gupta Receives Justice Award at the Foundation for Criminal Justice Awards Gala Dinner -- Washington, DC (Aug. 10, 2017) – Civil rights pioneer Vanita Gupta was recently honored with the Justice Award from the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ).

Philadelphia Attorney George Henry Newman Receives Prestigious 2017 Heeney Award from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Aug. 3, 2017) – Philadelphia, PA attorney George Henry Newman has been chosen as the 2017 recipient of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' (NACDL) Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award.

2017-18 Officers and Newly Elected Members of the Board of Directors Sworn in at Annual Meeting -- Washington, DC (Aug. 3, 2017) – NACDL installed newly elected officers and directors at its Annual Board and Membership Meeting in San Francisco, CA, on July 29.

Rick Jones Sworn in as 2017-18 President of Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (July 31, 2017) -- New York City attorney Rick Jones was sworn in as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA, on July 29.

Attorney Jerome F. Buting Receives Champion of Justice Legal Award -- Washington, DC (July 31, 2017) – Wisconsin Attorney Jerome "Jerry" F. Buting was honored Friday night with the Champion of Justice Legal Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).

Massachusetts Public Defense Leader Anthony J. Benedetti Receives Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- San Francisco, CA (July 28, 2016) – Anthony J. Benedetti, Chief Counsel for the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) in Massachusetts, was honored today with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL's 16th Annual State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) conference in San Francisco, CA.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Welcomes Introduction of Bipartisan Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) Modernization Act of 2017 -- Washington, DC (July 27, 2017) - The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) welcomes the introduction of the bipartisan "ECPA Modernization Act of 2017," co-sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and introduced today in the U.S. Senate.

Rick Jones to be Sworn in as 2017-18 President of Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (July 20, 2017) -- New York City attorney Rick Jones will be sworn in as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA, on July 29.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan "Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act of 2017" -- Washington, DC (July 20, 2017) – Today, Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) jointly introduced the "Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act of 2017."

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Disappointed in Announcement of Regressive DOJ Policy on Asset Forfeiture -- Washington, DC (July 19, 2017) -- NACDL was disappointed in today's announcement by the Department of Justice that it is returning to ill-advised forfeiture policies that it had recently abandoned after much public scrutiny.

Joint Announcement: Restoration of Rights Project -- The Collateral Consequences Resource Center and its partner organizations, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and the National HIRE Network, are pleased to announce the launch of the newly expanded and fully updated Restoration of Rights Project.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar to Host Inaugural Presidential Summit amp; Seminar, Race Matters: The Impact of Race on Criminal Justice; NACDL and Foundation for Criminal Justice Scholarships Available for Public Defense Providers -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is convening its Inaugural Presidential Summit and Seminar, Race Matters: The Impact of Race on Criminal Justice. The program will be held at the Greektown Hotel, Detroit, Mich., on Sept. 14-15, 2017.

Fourth Circuit Permits Mass Surveillance Lawsuit to Move Forward, but Without the Criminal Defense Bar and All but One Plaintiff -- Washington, DC (May 23, 2017) – In March 2015, Wikimedia, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Human Rights Watch, and several other organizations, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland challenging the National Security Agency's (NSA) mass interception and searching of Americans' international Internet communications.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions Issues Retrograde Charging Policy; Seeks Return to 20th Century's So-Called 'War on Drugs' and the Age of Mass Incarceration -- Washington, DC (May 12, 2017) – This morning, the Washington Post made public the May 10, 2017, Sessions Memo regarding Department of Justice charging and sentencing policy issued to more than 5,000 assistant United States attorneys and all assistant attorneys general.

Leesburg, Virginia, Deputy Public Defender Bonnie Hoffman Appointed Public Defense Director for Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (April 25, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today announces the appointment of Bonnie Hoffman as Director of Public Defense Reform and Training.

Attorney General Sessions Moves Against the Independence and Integrity of Forensic Science -- Washington, DC (Apr. 10, 2017) – The Washington Post reported this morning that Attorney General Jeff Sessions "would not renew the National Commission on Forensic Science, a roughly 30-member advisory panel of scientists, judges, crime lab leaders, prosecutors and defense lawyers chartered by the Obama administration in 2013."

New Report Offers Guide for Defense Attorneys to Challenge Secretive Government Hacking -- Washington, DC (Mar. 30, 2017) — A report released today sets out key legal arguments and strategies for challenging evidence seized by government-installed computer malware as a violation of the Fourth Amendment and federal law.

Nationally Recognized Defense Attorney Cristina C. Arguedas Receives 2017 White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL and Stetson Law -- Washington, DC (Mar. 20, 2017) – On Saturday, March 18, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Stetson University College of Law presented Cristina C. Arguedas with the 2017 White Collar Criminal Defense Award.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Denounces Florida Governor’s Interference with Prosecutor’s Decision Not To Seek Death Penalty - Washington, DC (Mar. 17, 2017) – According to news reports, recently-elected Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala was removed yesterday from a death penalty eligible case by an executive order of Florida Governor Rick Scott.

NACDL Issues Groundbreaking Report and Recommendations on Police Body Cameras -- Washington, DC (Mar. 15, 2017) -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), with support from the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ), today releases Policing Body Cameras: Policies and Procedures to Safeguard the Rights of the Accused.

Nationally Recognized Defense Attorney Cristina C. Arguedas to Receive 2017 White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL and Stetson Law -- Washington, DC (March 7, 2017) – On Saturday, March 18, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Stetson University College of Law will present Cristina C. Arguedas with the 2017 White Collar Criminal Defense Award.

The Deepening Public Defense Crisis in Louisiana; New Report from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- New Orleans, LA (Mar. 2, 2017) -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), with support from the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ), today releases State of Crisis: Chronic Neglect and Underfunding for Louisiana's Public Defense System, by Andrea M. Marsh, Lecturer at the University of Texas School of Law.

The Marshall Project and Neil Barsky, Its Chairman and Founder, to Receive Champion of Justice Journalism Award -- Washington, DC (Feb. 22, 2017) –The Marshall Project and Neil Barsky as its chairman and founder will receive the Champion of Justice Journalism Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) on Friday, March 3, 2017, at the Association's midwinter seminar and meeting in New Orleans, LA. Neil Barsky will be present to accept the award.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Calls on Virginia House of Delegates to Pass Criminal Discovery Reform -- Washington, DC (Feb. 9, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today urges the Virginia House of Delegates to pass criminal discovery reform measures to increase fairness and access to justice in the Commonwealth.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Welcomes Passage by House of Representatives of the Email Privacy Act -- Washington, DC (Feb. 6, 2017) – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Email Privacy Act (H.R. 387). This bill is a long overdue update of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), a bill passed in 1986 that governs the treatment of electronic communications.

NACDL and the Foundation for Criminal Justice Applaud Clemency Project 2014; Historic Pro Bono Effort by Nation's Bar -- Washington, DC (Jan. 19, 2017) – On his last full day in office, President Obama today announced 330 grants of commutation. Of today's 330 grants, 189 were in cases supported by Clemency Project 2014.

President Obama Caps Final Full Day in Office with 330 More Commutations -- Washington, DC (Jan. 19, 2017) – On his last full day in office, President Obama today announced 330 grants of commutation. This is the largest single set of commutation grants of his tenure as president. Of today's 330 grants, 189 were in cases supported by Clemency Project 2014.

Report: Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Documents "Sixth Amendment-Free" Proceedings in South Carolina Courts -- Washington, DC (Jan. 18, 2017) – Today, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) released its second report on South Carolina's summary courts, Rush to Judgment: How South Carolina's Summary Courts Fail to Protect Constitutional Rights.

With Only a Few Days Left in Office, President Obama Announces 209 More Commutations -- Washington, DC (Jan. 17, 2017) – Today, President Obama announced 209 grants of commutation. Of today's 209 grants, 100 were in cases supported by Clemency Project 2014.

NACDL Welcomes Inaugural Tiffany May Joslyn White Collar Crime Policy Intern -- Washington, DC (Jan. 9, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers welcomes Kaitlin Bigger to NACDL as the inaugural Tiffany May Joslyn White Collar Crime Policy intern.