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.
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Reviewing Mental Health Assessment And Testing-Related Literature and Test Manuals Is a Key to Effectively Preparing And Examining Mental Health Experts
In Miller v. Alabama, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to automatically sentence individuals to life without the possibility of parole for a crime committed before their 18th birthday. A defense attorney has numerous strategic decisions to make when a defendant will be resentenced pursuant to Miller, such as whether to retain a mental health expert. Dr. Antoinette Kavanaugh explains the benefits of a forensically trained mental health expert, and she offers pointers to help prepare the clinician, defendant, and defendant’s family for the clinician’s evaluation.
Materials for arguing against government informant and ex parte discussions regarding the conspiracy and closing off discovery regarding the informant's statements regarding the alleged conspiracy.
NACDL amicus curiae brief in support of appellant Joseph P. Nacchio addressing the district court's refusal to allow the defendant to call an expert witness. On March 17, 2008, the court of appeals reversed the defendant's conviction finding that the exclusion of the defense expert was prejudcial error; the government petitioned for rehearing before the full court of appeals.
