Washington, DC (March 8, 2016) – Tiffany May Joslyn, who served as counsel for white collar crime policy at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) from 2008 through 2015, died in a tragic car accident on Saturday, March 5, together with her younger brother, Derrick T. Joslyn.
During her nearly seven years at NACDL, Tiffany played a critical role in the Association's criminal justice reform efforts. Tiffany co-authored a groundbreaking study on the state of disclosure in criminal cases, entitled Material Indifference: How Courts Are Impeding Fair Disclosure in Criminal Cases. The study exposed how in courtrooms across the nation, persons accused of crime are convicted without ever having seen information that was favorable to their defense. She also co-authored Without Intent: How Congress Is Eroding the Criminal Intent Requirement in Federal Law, a joint report with the Heritage Foundation revealing the dramatic erosion of the intent requirement in federal criminal laws. Augmenting her extensive work in the area of criminal intent, Tiffany served as counsel on NACDL's amicus curiae, or friend-of-the-court, briefs challenging the constitutionality of Florida's strict liability drug laws in both federal and state courts, in the Shelton and Adkins cases, respectively.
In Tiffany's memory and in honor of her significant contributions to the cause of criminal justice reform, NACDL today announces the establishment of the Tiffany May Joslyn White Collar Crime Policy Internship. This internship will afford a law student interested in the area of white collar crime and policy with the opportunity to work directly with and learn first-hand from leaders in the field at NACDL.
"Tiffany had an irrepressible light that shone brightly on all who came in contact with her," NACDL Director of White Collar Crime Policy Shana-Tara O'Toole said. "She cared so deeply for those who had been marginalized by society and had dedicated both her personal and professional life to working to achieve a more just and more loving place for all people. It is my hope that providing opportunities for others to make a difference in this world in her name will keep Tiffany's light ever-present for us all."
"This is a tremendous loss for the NACDL family. Tiffany was a passionate crusader for a more fair and human criminal justice system who earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues for her tireless reform efforts as well as her unyielding concern for the welfare of others," said NACDL Executive Director Norman L. Reimer. "She will be missed, but her example will inspire others to carry on the fight. In the coming days and weeks, in a variety of ways, NACDL will continue to honor the memory of a dear colleague and kindred spirit in the struggle for meaningful criminal justice reform in America, our friend Tiffany."
A 2004 graduate of Clark University and a 2007 graduate of George Washington University Law School, Tiffany joined NACDL's staff in 2008 after clerking for a year at the D.C. Court of Appeals. After nearly seven years of service to NACDL, Tiffany had gone on to serve as deputy chief counsel of the Crime Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Contacts
Ivan J. Dominguez, NACDL Director of Public Affairs & Communications, (202) 465-7662 or idominguez@nacdl.org for more information.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system.