Renewed War on Drugs, harsher charging policies, stepped-up criminalization of immigrants — in the current climate, joining the NACDL is more important than ever. Members of NACDL help to support the only national organization working at all levels of government to ensure that the voice of the defense bar is heard.
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NACDL is committed to enhancing the capacity of the criminal defense bar to safeguard fundamental constitutional rights.
NACDL harnesses the unique perspectives of NACDL members to advocate for policy and practice improvements in the criminal legal system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal legal system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal legal system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.
Showing 16 - 30 of 151 results
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Plaintiff
Nearly a half million people, or approximately three percent of Florida's adults, pass through the state's misdemeanor courts each year. Most are found guilty. The average court appearance lasts as little as three minutes. [Released July 2011]
NACDL created The Commission to Reform the Federal Grand Jury, drawing on the expertise of a variety of professionals throughout the criminal justice system. Commissioners spent two years examining the need for changes in the grand jury process and produced a Federal Grand Jury Bill of Rights based on their findings. The ten reforms set forth in this Bill of Rights, largely echoing those proposed by the American Bar Association (ABA) more than 20 years ago, would restore balance to the grand jury process and better protect against unwarranted prosecutions. [Released May 2000]
Coalition letter to Governor Greg Abbott, of Texas, regarding his executive order (GA-13) refusing to allow release of inmates from state detention facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Appellee.
Brief of Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer (NACDL) as Amici Curiae in Support of Appellant and Intervenor.
U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan’s letter to the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure, regarding federal disclosure obligations and suggesting an amendment to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
On October 16, 2014, Representative Sensenbrenner wrote a letter to Thomas S. Winkowski, the Acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sensenbrenner inquired about learning more on the topic of administrative pardon of property and information on the petitions filled.
On October 16, 2014, Representative Sensenbrenner wrote a letter to the Honorable Michele M. Leonhart, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Sensenbrenner inquired about learning more on the topic of administrative pardon of property and information on the petitions filled.
NACDL's section-by-section analysis of the Clean Up Government Act of 2011 (H.R. 2572) as introduced by Rep. Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and co-sponsored by Rep. Quigley (D-IL).
Letter to members of Congress regarding much-needed reforms to federal civil asset forfeiture laws, as addressed in the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act of 2015 (H.R. 540/S. 255)
Letter to members of Congress regarding much-needed reforms to federal civil asset forfeiture law as addressed in the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2014 (H.R. 5212).
Coalition letter to members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees regarding proposed reforms to federal forfeiture law.
Coalition letter to members of the Senate urging more changes to the protection of American citizens before voting on the proposed USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020 (H.R. 6172).
Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-AR) introduced the Grand Jury Due Process Act (S. 2030) in May 1998. This legislation would have provided a right to assistance of counsel in the grand jury room. In July 1998, Bumpers introduced a more comprehensive reform bill called the Grand Jury Reform Act (S. 2289). In addition to providing a right to counsel's presence, this legislation would have required that grand jurors receive basic legal instructions, that prosecutors present any substantial evidence of innocence, and that defendants receive transcripts of certain grand jury testimony against them.
