Washington, DC (October 23, 2014) –The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is pleased to announce a new program of scholarship assistance for indigent defense providers. The scholarships will foster access for both public and private defenders of the indigent accused to outstanding criminal defense training programs nationwide.
NACDL President Theodore Simon said: "This new scholarship program allows NACDL to expand upon its goal of raising and developing the advocacy skills of indigent defense providers across America. This opportunity will be available to both public and private defenders of the indigent who otherwise would lack the means to participate in established training programs. Financial constraints should not preclude those representing the accused from receiving training, and I am excited that NACDL is able to offer these important scholarships."
Colette Tvedt, NACDL's Director of Indigent Defense Reform and Training who will oversee the scholarships said: "With this initiative, NACDL will significantly increase its commitment to support the nation's public defense bar. These scholarships will complement other training initiatives that will bring training and technical assistance to under-resourced defense communities throughout the nation."
NACDL Executive Director Norman Reimer added, "NACDL was founded in the mid -20th century to fulfill a fundamental commitment to elevate standards of practice within the criminal defense bar. In the 21st century we must ensure that continuing legal education is available to all."
The scholarships, which are supported by various grants, will be awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursement of the registration costs of the excellent training programs offered by NACDL and other organizations. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to qualifying individuals to help defray the costs of travel and lodging. Individuals may apply for scholarship funds to attend in person training events presented by NACDL or any of the organizations listed on the application form. Alternatively, individuals may request assistance attending a program sponsored by a different organization, for example, a national organization not listed on the application form, or a comparable organization working on the state or local level.
More information about the scholarships, including detailed eligibility criteria, is available on the application forms. The scholarship application for NACDL training programs is available here. The Multi-Organizational Indigent Defense Training Scholarship Application is available here.
Contacts
Isaac Kramer, Public Affairs and Communications Assistant, (202) 465-7656 or ikramer@nacdl.org.
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.