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
Contact members of congress, sign petitions, and more
Help us continue our fight by donating to NFCJ
Help shape the future of the association
Join the dedicated and passionate team at NACDL
Increase brand exposure while building trust and credibility
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 18 results
Featuring NACDL's Task Force on Criminal Court Reopening: Nina Ginsberg, Stephen Ross Johnson, Todd Pugh, and MartÃn Sabelli
NACDL: Jury Trials Not Safe Until COVID-19 Pandemic Under Control [Released June 2020]
Business as usual will be impossible as courts restart face-to-face jury trials during the coronavirus pandemic. NACDL has identified 10 fundamental principles that can minimize the constitutional burden while protecting the public and stakeholders who must come together in the courtroom.
What is the best way to resume in-person proceedings as courts reopen after closures stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic? Defendants have a right to be physically present in the courtroom. How can courts ensure a fair and constitutional process going forward?
The fact that hearings and trials can be conducted via videoconference platforms does not make these proceedings legal. Criminal trials in which some or all witnesses testify remotely are susceptible to Sixth Amendment challenges. The authors offer five factors concerning which defense counsel should ask a judge to make findings before any witness testifies via two-way videoconference.
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.
Coalition letter to Congressional leadership regarding supporting the needs of the incarcerated community in the next anticipated federal response package to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coalition letter to Attorney General William Barr regarding building on the Department of Justice's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in federal facilities, and the potential to lead states to do the same.
Letter to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees regarding the increased overcriminalization, enforcement, and surveillance of already-marginalized communities under pandemic protocols.
Joint letter from local defender organizations to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding plans to reduce state prison populations, offering guidance and assistance in this effort.
Coalition letter to the National Sheriffs’ Association executive committee regarding the need to protect those incarcerated in the nation's local jails from further spread of the COVID-19 virus via decarceration and mitigation measures.
Coalition letter to the United States Conference of Mayors regarding the need to protect those incarcerated in the nation's local jails from further spread of the COVID-19 virus via decarceration and mitigation measures.
Coalition letter to the National Governors Association executive committee regarding the need to protect those incarcerated in the nation's prisons and jails from further spread of the COVID-19 virus via decarceration and mitigation measures.
Coalition letter to Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Michael Carvajal regarding the lack of demographic information included in its daily reports of systemwide COVID-19 cases.
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.
