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.
Take a stand for a fair, rational, and humane criminal legal system
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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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The use of risk assessment instruments (RAIs) in the pretrial context is the subject of ongoing debate. Often seen as a way to address flaws in the current pretrial system including excessive reliance on money bail and the disproportionate impact on people of color, concerns exist that these instruments may actually exacerbate and amplify existing disparities in pretrial decision making.
Find training materials and resources to assist attorneys in providing high quality representation as part of the Texas Counsel At First Appearance (CAFA) Project.
Despite assurances that “[i]n our society liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial . . . the carefully limited exception,” over 75% of those detained in local jails have not been convicted of a crime. Two-thirds of state pretrial populations are held for non-violent offenses, and the racial disparities which plague the criminal legal system are especially pronounced in pretrial decisions. With pretrial decisions having substantial, long-term case impacts, the uses and abuses of pretrial detention erode the presumption of innocence and destroy any sense of justice.
Presented by Bonnie Hoffman, Director of Public Defense Reform and Training, NACDL
Supported by a grant awarded by Arnold Ventures to the Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School and the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University
Review Texas pretrial statutes, case law, and practices, and gain new insights and practice points, in order to best advocate for your client. [Released May 2020]
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Plaintiff
NACDL's work on pretrial advocacy in Wisconsin highlighted by the publication of the Wisconsin Bail Manual. [Released October 2018]
NACDL's work on pretrial advocacy in Harris County, Texas highlighted by the publication of the Harris County Bail Manual. [Released December 2018]
NACDL's work on pretrial advocacy in New Jersey highlighted by the publication of the New Jersey Bail Manual. [Released December 2016]
NACDL's work on pretrial advocacy in Colorado induding the publication of the Colorado Bail Manual. [Released September 2015]
Presented by Jani Maselli Wood, Appellate Division Chief, Harris County (TX) Public Defender's Office; Sarah V. Wood, Assistant Public Defender, Appellate Division, Harris County (TX) Public Defender's Office; and Jennifer Gaut, criminal defense attorney, Houston, TX
Harris County Pretrial Representation Training
Presented by Jennifer Gaut, criminal defense attorney, Houston, TX
Harris County Pretrial Advocacy Training
Presented by Sarah V. Wood, Assistant Public Defender, Appellate Division, Harris County (TX) Public Defender's Office
Presented by Jani Maselli Wood, Appellate Division Chief, Harris County (TX) Public Defender's Office
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.
