NACDL presents gift to National Constitution Center -- Philadelphia, PA (December 16, 2003)– Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer Theodore (Ted) Simon presented a
gift of over $25,000 to National Constitution Center President Joseph
M. Torsella today on behalf of the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers. The money was raised from individual NACDL members in a
fundraising drive organized by Simon in honor of the new Center and the
role of criminal defense lawyers in defending the constitution and
individual rights. More
NACDL survey: U.S. attorneys deny that Ashcroft policy affects pleas -- Washington,
DC (December 10, 2003) – A new “get tough” plea bargaining policy issued by Attorney
General John Ashcroft in September has not resulted in any major changes
in the courtroom, according to a recent poll of U.S. attorney’s offices
around the country conducted by the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers. More
Criminal defense lawyers represent Bill of Rights, judge says -- Washington,
DC (November 5, 2003) – Characterizing criminal defense as “a very patriotic profession,” a
New Orleans federal judge noted that a criminal defense lawyer
“represents the United States of America, because the criminal defense
lawyer represents the Bill of Rights – and the Bill of Rights is the
essence of the United States of America.” More
Gary Parker of Columbus receives Champion of Indigent Defense award from national criminal defense bar -- Washington,
DC (November 5, 2003) – On
October 31, at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’
2003 Fall Meeting in New Orleans, criminal defense attorney, former
Georgia state senator, and lifelong civil rights activist Gary Parker
received the prestigious Champion of Indigent Defense award. Awarded
once a year, the Champion of Indigent Defense award recognizes a group
or individual for outstanding efforts in making positive changes to a
local, county, state or national indigent defense system, through
legislation, litigation, or other methods. More
Remarks of U.S. District Judge Helen "Ginger" Berrigan -- Washington,
DC (October 31, 2003) – It
is very much an honor for me to be asked to come speak to you all
today. It’s an honor first of all because I have tremendous respect for
this organization. In my prior life as a criminal defense lawyer, I
viewed the NACDL as the big guys on the block, gutsy and outspoken and
seemingly fearless in taking on prosecutors, judges or legislators for
our unpopular causes. For those of us early in our careers, it was great
to know you were all on the front lines. More
Speech by Judge Berrigan, ABA panel on defense of poor highlight NACDL fall meeting -- Washington,
DC (October 24, 2003) – Friday
Luncheon at Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel—Friday, October 31, 12:15: The
Honorable Helen “Ginger” Berrigan, chief judge of the United States
District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana, will be the keynote
speaker. A New York native, Judge Berrigan was appointed to the bench
in March of 1994. Before that, she was a criminal defense attorney who
served as president of the Louisiana American Civil Liberties Union and
as a Board member of the Louisiana Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
PLUS: NACDL’s Champion of Indigent Defense award will be presented to
Gary Parker of Columbus, Ga. More
Analysis of changes to federal sentencing guidelines points to fallacies behind Feeney Amendment -- Washington,
DC (October 17, 2003) – The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Federal Sentencing
Guidelines Committee has released its analysis of changes to the
sentencing guidelines by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, passed October 7
in response to Congressional directives contained in the Feeney
Amendment to the PROTECT Act. More
Improved access to DNA testing, standards for capital representation addressed in Innocence Protection Act -- Washington,
DC (October 3, 2003) – The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer (NACDL) commends the
sponsors of the Innocence Protection Act of 2003 for their commitment to
ensuring greater accuracy and fairness in our criminal justice system.
This legislation, which was introduced Wednesday as part of a larger
DNA-related legislative package, sets reasonable standards for access to
DNA evidence by wrongly convicted prisoners and seeks to encourage
states to improve the quality of representation in death penalty cases. More
NACDL applauds Judicial Conference statement on judicial sentencing discretion -- Washington,
DC (September 23, 2003) – The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers welcomes today's
decision by the federal courts' policy-making body to seek repeal of
recent restrictions on judicial sentencing discretion. The Feeney
Amendment, which was enacted April 30, 2003, as an amendment to a
popular child protection bill, calls for restrictions on the authority
of federal judges to impose sentences outside the narrow range specified
by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Since 1987, federal sentencing
discretion has been limited by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which
prescribe sentencing ranges based primarily on the type of offense and
the defendant's criminal history. More
Bush anti-terror proposals would undermine civil liberties, judicial oversight of investigations -- Washington,
DC (September 11, 2003) – E.E.
"Bo" Edwards, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers, today issued the following statement in response to President
Bush's remarks yesterday calling for new measures which would further
prevent judges from exercising discretion and oversight over the Justice
Department's already-questionable handling of terrorism investigations
and suspects. More
Ninth Circuit decision affirms importance of jury input, attempts to limit arbitrariness in death sentences -- Washington,
DC (September 3, 2003) – E.E.
"Bo" Edwards, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers, today issued the following statement in response to the
Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision in Summerlin v. Stewart,
which made the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Ring v. Arizona (finding
death sentences by judges, rather than juries, unconstitutional)
retroactive in its application. More
New criminal defense bar president decries policy of shooting down suspected drug planes -- Washington,
DC (August 21, 2003) – E.E.
"Bo" Edwards, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers, today issued the following statement in response to
recent reports that the United States will resume cooperation with
South American governments in shooting down planes of suspected drug
runners. More
James A.H. Bell receives top award from national criminal defense bar -- Washington,
DC (August 5, 2003) – James
A.H. Bell, a criminal defense attorney in Knoxville, TN, was awarded
the twenty-third Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award by the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at their 2003 Annual Meeting in
Denver, CO, last week. Established in 1981 to honor NACDL’s 18th
President Robert C. Heeney, the award is the most prestigious award
given by the association and is awarded annually to one criminal defense
attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of the association
and the legal profession. More
Criminal defense bar annual meeting to include Hart address, discussion of ethical issues related to military tribunal rules -- Washington,
DC (July 25, 2003) – The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ annual meeting July
30-Aug. 2 will include formal action regarding ethical issues
surrounding the Bush Administration’s rules governing conduct of trials
of “enemy combatants” in military tribunals. The meeting will take place
at the Westin Tabor Center in Denver. More
Criminal defense bar to address ethical issues of tribunal rules -- Washington,
DC (July 11, 2003) – The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ board
of directors will formally take up ethical issues surrounding the Bush
Administration’s rules governing conduct of trials of “enemy combatants”
in military tribunals at the association’s annual meeting in Denver
August 2. More
Presidential candidates address criminal justice issues -- Washington,
DC (June 20, 2003) – In mid-October, 2003, The Champion, monthly magazine
of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, sent a list of
questions to the nine declared Democratic candidates for president and
the Bush-Cheney campaign. The candidates were asked for their views on
the death penalty, DNA evidence, indigent defense services, judicial
discretion, the war on terrorism versus civil liberties, and white
collar/corporate crime. More
Comments lead criminal defense bar to oppose nomination of Alabama AG to federal bench -- Washington,
DC (June 11, 2003) – The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has voiced its
opposition to the nomination of Alabama Attorney General William Pryor
to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. More
Judicial discretion leads to merciful sentence, but federalism, state rights ignored in California medical marijuana prosecution -- Washington,
DC (June 5, 2003) – In
response to yesterday’s disposition of the Ed Rosenthal medical
marijuana case in San Francisco, in which Rosenthal was sentenced to one
day in prison, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
President Lawrence Goldman issued the following statement. More
Inspector General report on post-9/11 detentions highlights result of denial of effective oversight -- Washington,
DC (June 5, 2003) – In
response to yesterday’s
release of a report on the treatment of post-9/11 detainees by the
Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice, National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers president Lawrence Goldman
issued the following statement. More
Halfway Houses Less of an Option in White-Collar Crime -- Washington,
DC (May 25, 2003) – The
Justice Department's two-year crackdown on corporate crime has snared a
number of high-flying executives for cheating investors out of billions
of dollars. More
Mike Tigar on Lynne Stewart, ethics panel on client cooperation highlight NACDL spring meeting -- Washington,
DC (April 28, 2003)– Criminal defense bar meets at Marriott Marquis Times Square April 30-May 3More
Team behind “The Exonerated” to receive NACDL’s Champion of Justice award -- Washington,
DC (April 28, 2003)– The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers will present its
Champion of Justice award to the writers, director, and lead producer of
“The Exonerated,” the hit off-Broadway play which depicts the stories
of six innocent persons released after spending between two and 20 years
in prison for crimes they did not commit. The awards will be presented
at the Friday luncheon (noon, May 2) during NACDL’s spring meeting at
the Marriott Marquis Times Square, 1535 Broadway, New York City. More
Sneak amendments to Amber Alert bill would strip discretion from federal judges -- Washington,
DC (April 1, 2003)– Criminal
defense lawyers, judges, and civil rights groups want the U.S. Senate
to knock out last-minute House amendments to the Amber Alert bill that
would strip federal judges of the last remaining vestiges of discretion
in sentencing federal offenders. More
NACDL members fill leadership roles, contribute training, ethics to ICB -- Washington,
DC (March 28, 2003)– A
delegation of 17 members of the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers has just returned from Berlin, where they attended the
first full-membership session of the International Criminal Bar, an
organization created to represent and regulate lawyers who will appear
before the International Criminal Court. The ICB has been established to
guarantee the independence of the legal profession that is essential
for a fair system of international criminal justice. More
Criminal defense bar cites tribunal rules’ threat to U.S. military personnel’s safety abroad -- Washington,
DC (March 7, 2003)– Citing
a concern, among others, that U.S. military personnel could face danger
due to its provisions, criminal defense bar leaders filed comments
today with the Department of Defense General Counsel’s Office commenting
on the DoD’s draft Instruction pertaining to crimes and their elements,
as well as procedures, for use by military commissions. The proposed
Instruction was issued on February 28th. More
Today’s Supreme Court decisions feed wrong-headed punitive frenzy -- Washington,
DC (March 5, 2003)– In
response to two decisions each in cases addressing Megan’s laws and
three-strikes laws by the U.S. Supreme Court today, Lawrence Goldman,
president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
issued the following statement. More
Sen. Arlen Specter to deliver luncheon keynote for right-to-counsel anniversary commemoration -- Washington,
DC (March 3, 2003)– A
day-long symposium commemorating the 40th anniversary of the U.S.
Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon v. Wainwright (guaranteeing
representation to the accused), addressing the role of defense counsel
in a fair justice system, and highlighting the unfulfilled promise of
the right to counsel. More
Mexican President Fox to receive award from NACDL for advocacy against death penalty -- Washington,
DC (February 20, 2003)– The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers will present its
Champion of Justice award to Mexican President Vicente Fox at a ceremony
tomorrow during its annual Spring Meeting, being held this year in
Cancun, Mexico. Subsecretary for Human Rights and Democracy Mariclaire
Acosta will travel to Cancun to accept the award on Fox’s behalf. More
Mobile lawsuit seeks injunction against Ashcroft order overriding judges' recommendations -- Washington,
DC (February 7, 2003)– A
group of Mobile defense lawyers has sued the Federal Bureau of Prisons
on behalf of clients whom federal authorities are sending to prison
rather than the halfway houses recommended by judges in their cases. More
U.S. should follow World Court order to stay executions of Mexican nationals -- Washington,
DC (February 5, 2003)– In
response to news that the International Court of Justice at the Hague
has ordered the United States to stay the next three pending executions
of Mexican nationals until they prove that the defendants were given
access to consular assistance, as required by international law,
Lawrence Goldman, president of the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers, issued the following statement. More
New BOP Policy Requires Transfer of Many Defendants from Halfway House Confinement to Prisons -- Washington,
DC (January 28, 2003)– NACDL
comments regarding the BOP's proposed halfway house rule change, BOP
proposed rule change, DOJ memorandum triggering the BOP policy change. More
Maryland death penalty moratorium evaporates to bolster political position of new governor -- Washington,
DC (January 22, 2003)– In
response to today's news that a Maryland judge has signed or will soon
sign a death warrant for Steven Oken, thereby bringing a de facto end to
Maryland's eight-month-old moratorium on the death penalty, Lawrence
Goldman, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers, issued the following statement. More
Sattazahn decision is step back from fair justice; will make those spared death penalty face it again -- Washington,
DC (January 14, 2003)– In
response to today's U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing defendants who
have received a life sentence to be re-subjected to the death penalty
if the jury vote for life was not unanimous, Chris Adams, Death Penalty
Counsel for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, issued
the following statement. More
Illinois commutations can benefit even victims, lead to better U.S. international relations -- Washington,
DC (January 11, 2003)– In
response to today's commutation
by Illinois Gov. George Ryan (who received NACDL's Champion of Justice
award and addressed the luncheon at NACDL's Fall Meeting in Chicago this
past November) of the remaining 156 death sentences in that state to
life without parole, Lawrence Goldman, president of the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, issued the following statement.
More
Web page offers information on history of right to counsel in commemoration of Gideon v. Wainwright -- Washington,
DC (January 3, 2003)– In
preparation for the 40th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, the
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has launched a special
Web page of materials for journalists, lawyers, teachers, students, and
the general public to learn about the right to counsel for the accused.
The Gideon decision was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on March
18, 1963, and held that persons facing imprisonment are entitled to
counsel at trial if they cannot afford an attorney. More
NACDL Executive Committee passes resolution in support of judge threatened with subpoena by Congress -- When
the House Judiciary Committee recently began to consider adoption of an
unprecedented resolution allowing it to subpoena a sitting federal
judge and force him to locate and produce information regarding his
sentencing decisions, NACDL leadership stepped up to provide support. More
2003-2004 Executive Committee officers and newly elected Board of Directors members sworn in at Annual Meeting -- 2003-2004 Executive Committee officers and newly elected Board of Directors members sworn in at Annual Meeting. More