NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
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NACDL’s State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) Conference
Every year, NACDL brings together advocates from around the country for our annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference. This conference offers participants an opportunity to hear from experts on state criminal justice reform and the opportunity to network with like-minded advocates.
The State Criminal Justice Network Conference provides an opportunity for practitioners and the advocacy community to network and discuss various criminal justice objectives around the country. Since the inception of the SCJN, the expanded participation of both communities has enabled NACDL to bring together individuals directly affected by the criminal justice system and stakeholders who seek reforms that will have a lasting impact on our communities.
The 24th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference, Shaping Justice: Criminal Defense and State Policy Reform, will be held virtually Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST (9:00 am - 1:00 pm PST) and Friday, October 10, 2025 from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST (9:00 am - 12:00 pm PST). Stay tuned for details and registration information!
Past Conferences
NACDL's 23rd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference
The 23rd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference was held as a free, live virtual event on August 14-15, 2024.
NACDL's 21st Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference, Palm Beach, Florida
The 21st Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference was held as a free, in-person conference on August 11-12, 2022, in Palm Beach, FL at The Breakers Palm Beach.
NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference, Virtual
The 2020 SCJN Conference was held as free, live virtual conference from August 17th through 19th.The conference featured panel discussions on a range of topics, including:
Policing in America, examining issues of transparency and accountability, as well as predictive policing and other analytical techniques used by law enforcement;
State sentencing reform efforts, including life imprisonment and other extreme sentences;
Probation and parole reform;
Data driven policies;
Marsy’s Law;
Effective messaging around criminal justice reform from communications and media experts.
NACDL's 18th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference, Philadelphia, PA
NACDL's 18th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference: Sharing Strategies and Strengthening the Movement took place August 1-2, 2019 in Philadelphia, PA. Participants heard from many who are driving various reform efforts at the state level. Issues discussed included pretrial reform, the trial penalty, policing and technology, juvenile justice, discovery reform, expungement and women in the criminal justice system.
NACDL’s 17th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference and Presidential Summit, Atlanta, Georgia
Shattering the Shackles of Collateral Consequences: Exploring Moral Principles and Economic Innovations to Restore Rights and Opportunity took place Thursday, August 23 – Friday, August 24, 2018 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Shattering the Shackles of Collateral Consequences: Exploring Moral Principles and Economic Innovations to Restore Rights and Opportunity examined the destructive effect that a vast network of penalties, debarments, and disabilities that arise from a criminal conviction has on the millions who have contact with the criminal justice system. It also explored the disparate impact that these consequences have on communities of color. At the same time, the Summit highlighted the ground-breaking work that is helping people break free from these shackles, and provide a roadmap for national reform.
Watch the video below to see NACDL President Drew Findling and Honorary Chair Mike Epps discussing Shattering the Shackles of Collateral Consequences.