The Amicus Curiae Committee provides amicus assistance on the federal and state level in those cases that present issues of importance to criminal defendants, criminal defense lawyers, and/or the criminal justice system as a whole. It operates according to these program protocols.

NACDL elections are run in accordance with, and candidates for NACDL office must adhere to, these board-adopted election policies.

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is the preeminent organization in the United States advancing the mission of the nation's criminal defense lawyers to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or other misconduct. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's members include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, active U.S. military defense counsel, law professors, and judges committed to preserving fairness within the criminal justice system.

NACDL's board of directors has adopted a code of conduct policy (including conflicts of interest) and a personal conduct policy. All officers, directors, and active past presidents are required to annually execute this code.

NACDL adopted the current investment policy in 2010.

NACDL is committed to providing a safe environment free of harassment, discrimination, intimidation and insult. NACDL prohibits any discrimination or harassment of our employees and program attendees based on a person’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other ground prohibited by the federal government, District of Columbia, relevant state or local law.

NACDL's Board of Directors has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, which guides the procedures of NACDL's Audit Committee.

NACDL adopted the following code of conduct for persons affiliated with NACDL activities or events on July 29, 2018.

Each year, the Budget Committee will be encouraged to include an allocation in the annual budget that will be designated for use as a board access fund. The purpose of the board access fund is to assist qualifying board members to help them defray the cost of attending board meetings.

NACDL offers several opportunities for membership. NACDL membership categories are set by NACDL's board of directors, and currently include the categories listed on this page.

NACDL adopted a whistleblower policy on August 2, 2008.

NACDL has adopted the following protocols concerning statements on behalf of NACDL and concerning NACDL policy.

NACDL recognizes that joint programming with other organizations may provide substantial benefits to the membership of the respective organizations and to the legal profession, and will consider partnering with other entities in under the following guidelines.

NACDL is committed to developing a membership that is representative of the diversity of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, disability and other backgrounds found in society, the criminal defense bar and the legal community.

On October 29, 2016, pursuant to Article IX, Section 4 of the Bylaws, the NACDL Board of Directors adopted as Board Policy the following rights and privileges of Affiliate Associations.