NACDL is launching its new presence on the Internet this month. We are extremely excited about the new site and all of the robust benefits it will provide to our members. At nacdl.org, the criminal defense lawyer’s home on the web, you will find all of the tremendous resources you have come to expect from NACDL, and much more.
The body of NACDL’s homepage provides links to featured issues across the wide range of subject matter in which the association is active, as well as to current news and events, membership initiatives, the Foundation for Criminal Justice, governance or other announcements, and a link to the most current issue of The Champion, available only to current NACDL members.
On any page at nacdl.org, you can always click the NACDL logo on the top left of the page, and it will bring you back to the homepage. In addition, on every page you will find both the top utility bar and the main menu bar.
The top utility bar provides links to “Find a Lawyer,” a directory for the public, “The Foundation for Criminal Justice,” “The Member-to-Member Directory,” NACDL’s “Store,” and a link to “Take Action” on pending legislation and policy initiatives. And, wherever you are, you can always use the search function on the top right of the screen to help find what you are looking for at nacdl.org.
Below the top utility bar is the main menu bar. Under “About” you will find contact information, including leadership and staff directories; NACDL’s mission statement; various governance items, including board resolutions, committee and task force work, reports, and board minutes; a robust directory of NACDL’s life members; advertising opportunities with the Association; and information about NACDL awards and recipients.
In the “Legal Education” section of the site, you will find NACDL’s extensive programs and products, ranging from live continuing legal education programs to online and self-study products. The “Criminal Defense” section breaks down into a host of policy content areas, such as death penalty, indigent defense, national security, white collar crime, and many others.
The “Advocacy” menu leads you to NACDL’s work on federal and state legislative issues, including a link to NACDL’s State Criminal Justice Network as well as NACDL’s extensive amicus brief library.
In the “News & The Champion” section, NACDL members can read the current issue of The Champion magazine in an interactive, page-turning format on their computers, tablets and smartphones. Prior magazine content is available to the public in this section as well. In addition, you will find links to NACDL’s archive of news releases and to recent “News of Interest” and stories featuring “NACDL in the news.”
NACDL’s “Resource Center” provides NACDL members with tools on a wide range of topics in the “Topics A-Z” section, including forensics and eyewitness identification. It also contains an extensive brief and motions bank, an expert database, updates on major legal developments of interest to the criminal defense bar, and a section devoted to legal services for lawyers.
In the “Membership” section, criminal defense lawyers and current members will find all the information they need to become a member, renew a membership, and explore the wealth of NACDL member benefits. In addition, this is also the section where members will find a link to join and manage their listserve subscriptions.
NACDL’s new site brings expanded functionality, ease of use and improved searchability to your online NACDL experience. “Liberty’s Last Champion” is stepping out front to provide our constituents with a more effective, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing Internet home for the criminal defense bar. View the introductory video at http://www.nacdl.org/siteintro.