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 1 - 15 of 15 results
Coalition letter to the House Judiciary Committee regarding the need for more funding for public defense services, made even more critical by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the wake of the severe cuts to the provision of indigent defense services during sequestration in 2013, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) created a Federal Indigent Defense Task Force to examine the federal indigent defense system. The mission included an assessment of the level of independence afforded to the Office of Defender Services and consideration of whether reforms are necessary to ensure adherence to the ABA’s Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. [Released September 2015]
Comments to the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs regarding proposed regulations in capital cases to address competent and well-funded counsel, post-conviction review, wrongful conviction, and racial disparity issues.
President Gerry Morris's letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government regarding ensuring adequate funding and support needed for federal defender services to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.
Coalition letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding further cuts to federal defender budgets, resulting from the recent sequestration, that continue to affect the adequate funding and training needed for defender services to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.
Coalition letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government regarding further cuts to federal defender budgets, resulting from the recent sequestration, that continue to affect the adequate funding and training needed for defender services to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.
Member Richard Kammen's written statement to the House Appropriations Committee regarding adequate funding and training for defender services to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.
Native American Justice Committee chair Tova Indritz's letter to members of the Senate regarding The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 (S. 3320).
Member Loren Weiss's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts regarding sufficient funding and availability of federal defender offices and CJA attorneys, pursuant to proposals outlined in the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1995 (S. 1101).
NACDL President Judy Clarke's testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary regarding adequate funding for defense services and training at every level to ensure adequate representation for those who cannot afford it.
NACDL President Gerald B. Lefcourt's written statement to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Commerce, Justice and State, and the Judiciary regarding adequate funding for defense services at every level and other measures to prevent prosecutorial abuse, all addressed in the Citizens Protection Act of 1998 (H.R. 3396).
President John Wesley Hall's statement to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security regarding public defense representation in criminal cases in Michigan and elsewhere.
NACDL Board member Barry Pollack's written statement to the House Judiciary Committee regarding federal criminal fraud laws.
NACDL President Irwin Schwartz's written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding abolishing the death penalty and crucial steps to take to avoid the risk of executing the innocent.
Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in Support of Petition of State Ex Rel. Baur for Writ of Superintending Control.