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.
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NACDL's Ethics Committee provides formal ethics advice on relevant issues as circumstances require. Current formal ethics opinions are available below.
The Ethics Advisory Committee gives you advice and counsel, alerting you to pitfalls, conflicts of interest, and potential violations of the rules of ethics and your Sixth Amendment duties.
1 NACDL ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Opinion 12-02 (February 2012) Approved by the NACDL Board of Directors, February 19, 2012 Question Presented: The NACDL Ethics Advisory Committee has been asked by the Office of Chief Defense Counsel, Office of Military Commissions, the following question: The Commander of Joint Task F
NACDL’s Ethics Advisory Committee, as well as the Strike Force and other committees, have again received several queries regarding a requirement in some federal plea agreements that bar collateral attacks on convictions under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The question presented is whether it is ethical for a criminal defense lawyer to participate in such a plea agreement in the absence of an express exclusion for claims based on ineffective assistance of counsel. NACDL has determined that it is not, and believes that prosecutors may not ethically propose or require such a waiver.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers adopted Ethics Opinion 12-02
Testimony Before The California Commission On The Fair Administration of Justice: Professional Responsibility Issues: Focus Questions 1-3
Testimony Before The California Commission On The Fair Administration of Justice - Professional Responsibility Issues: Focus Question 1(4) Ethical Rules for Public Defenders Caseloads
No. 90-02 - Identity of Client Who Is Legal Resident Alien
No. 90-03 - Client Expresses Intent to Commit Perjury Before Grand Jury
No. 92-02 - Client Perjury
No. 95-01 - Prosecutor May Not Ethically Participate in Selection or Management of Public Defenders
No. 03-01 - Attorney Time Sheets as Evidence
No. 02-01 - Monitored Jail Conversations
No. 03-03 - Requirement for Defendant to "Check In" with Attorney
No. 03-04 - Representation Before Military Commissions
No. 04-01 - Disclosure of Client's Stated Intent to Harm Prosecutor
