Congress Violated the Equal Protection Clause and Exacerbated Racial Disparity When it Reaffirmed the Federal Sentencing Disparity for Powder to Crack Cocaine, Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Tells Federal Appeals Court -- Washington, D.C. (December 22, 2014) – In an amicus curiae brief filed on December 18, 2014 in Davis v. United States Sentencing Commission, an appeal of a dismissal of a petition for writ of mandamus now pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) forcefully and methodically demonstrates...

DOJ Persuades Federal District Court to Keep Its Federal Criminal Discovery Blue Book From Being Disclosed to the American Public; NACDL to Appeal Decision -- Washington, DC (December 22, 2014) – On December 18, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers v. Executive Office for United States Attorneys et al. 

Clemency Project 2014 Applauds President Obama for Granting Eight Commutations -- Washington, DC (Dec. 17, 2014) – President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of eight federal prisoners, and pardoned 12 others on Wednesday. These mark the first commutations the President has granted since the U.S. Department of Justice announced its clemency initiative in April of 2014.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Announces New Initiatives in the Aftermath of Recent Police Killings -- Washington, DC (December 10, 2014) – Like much of the nation, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) has noted the furor over recent cases in which unarmed black men were killed by law enforcement. 

Report Underscores Why America Must Never Again Engage in Torture -- Washington, DC (December 9, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) has long spoken with a clear, unambiguous voice against the use of torture, including during the earliest days following the September 11 attacks. Earlier this year, NACDL, together with other groups, submitted a letter to Senators Feinstein and Chambliss strongly urging the Committee to declassify and publicly release its report on the CIA's Detention and Interrogation program...

NACDL Joins "90 Million Strong Campaign" Against the Death Penalty -- Washington, DC (December 9, 2014) – At an event this morning at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) officially joined in the launch of the "90 Million Strong Campaign" against the death penalty in America.

Groundbreaking Study Documents How Courts Are Impeding Fair Disclosure in Criminal Cases -- Washington, DC (Nov. 17, 2014) – Today, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, NACDL is officially releasing its latest report, Material Indifference: How Courts Are Impeding Fair Disclosure in Criminal Cases, a major study produced jointly with the VERITAS Initiative at Santa Clara Law School.

Jumana Musa Appointed Senior Privacy and National Security Counsel for Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 4, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today announces the appointment of Jumana Musa as Senior Privacy and National Security Counsel. Ms. Musa will assume responsibility for NACDL's important work both to protect Fourth Amendment rights and to limit government overreach under the rubric of national security.

Clemency Project 2014 Well Underway and Reviewing Thousands of Federal Prisoner Applications -- Washington, DC (Oct. 31, 2014) – Clemency Project 2014 is a working group composed of lawyers and advocates including the Federal Defenders, the American Civil Liberties Union, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as individuals active within those organizations.

MATERIAL INDIFFERENCE: How Courts Are Impeding Fair Disclosure in Criminal Cases -- Washington, DC (October 30, 2014) - The Foundation for Criminal Justice, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the VERITAS Initiative, and the Santa Clara University School of Law cordially invite you to the official release of MATERIAL INDIFFERENCE: How Courts Are Impeding Fair Disclosure in Criminal Cases.

Supreme Court to Hear Argument in Yates v. United States on November 5; Will Examine Use of post-Enron Law in Prosecution of Fisherman -- Washington, DC (October 29, 2014) – On Wednesday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m., the United States Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Yates v. United States (13-7451), a case highlighting the dangerous consequences stemming from the unconstitutional executive expansion of the federal law.

NACDL Offers New Scholarship Funding to Indigent Defense Providers -- Washington, DC (October 23, 2014) –The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is pleased to announce a new program of scholarship assistance for indigent defense providers. The scholarships will foster access for both public and private defenders of the indigent accused to outstanding criminal defense training programs nationwide.

NACDL Selected to Receive Significant Grant from Koch Industries, Inc. to Address Nation's Profound Indigent Defense Crisis -- Washington, DC (Oct. 21, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the nation's preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing, has been selected by Koch Industries, Inc. to receive a major grant in support of NACDL's efforts to address the nation's profound indigent defense crisis.

Justice Department to End Practice of Seeking Waivers of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims as Part of Plea Agreements -- Washington, DC (Oct. 14, 2014) – The U.S. Department of Justice today announced new department policy on waivers of claims of ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC) in a memo to all federal prosecutors from Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole.

DOJ Acts Boldly In Case to Expose Indigent Defense Deficiencies -- Washington, DC (September 25, 2014) – With the nation's indigent defense system mired in a persistent crisis of underfunding as a result of the failure of the states to enforce the Supreme Court's landmark Sixth Amendment right to counsel decision in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the Department of Justice has acted boldly in a case that seeks to expose the resulting deficiencies. 

Senator Ted Stevens' Defense Attorney Releases Behind-the-Scenes Account of 2008 Trial and Unlawful Prosecution -- Washington, D.C. (Sept. 16, 2014) – Today, Rob Cary, a defense attorney for Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, released a new book – Not Guilty: The Unlawful Prosecution of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (NACDL Press/Thomson Reuters) – recounting the trial six years ago of a powerful senator.

Community Discussion in Arlington, Va.: Alleviating the Collateral Damages of Arrest & Conviction -- Washington, DC (Sept. 12, 2014) -- On Thursday, September 18, 2014, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) in conjunction with Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR), and the George Mason University, will present a community discussion regarding the collateral consequences of arrest and conviction in Virginia and the United States.

Diane DePietropaolo Price Appointed Indigent Defense Training Manager for Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (September 3, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today announces the appointment of Diane DePietropaolo Price as indigent defense training manager. In this role, Ms. Price will support NACDL’s Indigent Defense Department and its broad efforts to support indigent defense providers across America. 

President of Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Calls for Federal Defender System Independence, and Voices Concern about Restrictions on the Participation of Federal Defenders in Historic Clemency Project -- Washington, DC (August 22, 2014) – Theodore Simon, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), today delivered an important address to a conference of federal defenders and panel attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, in which he expressed concern about the state of federal indigent defense.

In Landmark Decision, Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Ethics Opinion Barring Plea Agreements Containing Waivers of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims -- Washington, DC (August 21, 2014) – In a landmark decision handed down today in U.S. v. Kentucky Bar Assn., the Supreme Court of Kentucky unanimously rejected a challenge by the federal government, by and through its federal prosecutors in that jurisdiction, to Kentucky Bar Association Ethics Opinion E-435, which states that the use of ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC) waivers in plea agreements...

Louisiana State Court Judge Orders Funding of Defense in Complex Case Involving Indigent Defendants In Order for Case to Proceed -- Washington, DC (August 14, 2014) – Relying heavily upon the federal and state constitutional right to counsel, earlier this week, a Louisiana State Court ordered the State of Louisiana to fund the defense of several indigent persons accused of criminal wrongdoing, including the cost of experts and investigators. The State of Louisiana's position is that it does not have funds to pay for the defense in this case.

Theodore "Ted" Simon Sworn in as 2014-15 President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Aug. 4, 2014) – Theodore "Ted" Simon was sworn in on Saturday, August 2, as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at its 57th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An NACDL member since 1979, Simon previously served the Association as its President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, First- and Second Vice President, as well as on the Association’s Board of Directors.

2014-15 Officers and Newly Elected Members of the Board of Directors Sworn in at Annual Meeting -- Washington, DC (August 4, 2014) -- NACDL installed its new officers and directors at its Annual Board and Membership Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 2014.

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. Addresses Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar on Sentencing Reform -- Washington, DC (Aug. 1, 2014) – This morning, at the 57^th Annual Meeting and Seminar of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and 13^th Annual Conference of NACDL’s State Criminal Justice Network Conference, U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. delivered important remarks concerning criminal justice reform and the important role played by the criminal defense bar in ensuring the promise of a fairer and more humane criminal justice system.

Former National Co-Chair of NACDL's Amicus Curiae Committee Pamela Harris Confirmed by Senate to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit -- Washington, DC (July  31, 2014)  – The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Professor Pamela Harris, a former national co-chair of NACDL's Amicus Curiae Committee, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She had been nominated by President Barack Obama in May. A member of the NACDL from 2004, she also presented at multiple NACDL seminars. 

Maureen Cain Awarded Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award by Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Philadelphia, PA (July 31, 2014) – Attorney Maureen Cain, Policy Director of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, was honored today by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL’s 13th Annual State Criminal Justice Network conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The award honors those whose exceptional efforts have led toward progressive reform of a state criminal justice system.

Theodore “Ted” Simon to be Sworn in as 2014-15 President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (July 29, 2014) – Theodore “Ted” Simon will be sworn in on Saturday, August 2, as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at its 57th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An NACDL member since 1979, Simon previously served the Association as its President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, First and Second Vice President, as well as on the Association’s Board of Directors for eleven years. 

Clemency Project 2014 Receives More than 20,000 Prisoner Surveys -- WASHINGTON, DC (July 28, 2014) - Clemency Project 2014 is excited to announce that more than 20,000 federal prisoners have returned surveys seeking pro bono representation in the clemency process. Over the course of the next 30 days, the Project will begin to forward survey responses to trained lawyers who will help the Project assess whether they meet the Justice Department's clemency criteria and, if so, assist them in filing clemency petitions.

NACDL Immediate Past President Steven D. Benjamin Testifies at Congressional Overcriminalization Task Force Hearing -- Washington, DC (July 25, 2014) – This morning, NACDL Immediate Past President Steven D. Benjamin testified on behalf of NACDL before the bipartisan House Judiciary Overcriminalization Task Force. The topic of the hearing was "The Crimes on the Books and Committee Jurisdiction."

NACDL Report Addresses Need to Maintain Privacy Protections for Digital Evidence -- Washington, DC (July 24, 2014) – In recent years, changing technologies have presented courts with the question of how to protect both citizens’ privacy right and satisfy the demands of law enforcement. What's Old is New Again: Retaining Fourth Amendment Protections in Warranted Digital Searches – a new white paper by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Fourth Amendment Advocacy Committee – addresses this important issue.

Another Grotesque Spectacle, this Time in Arizona, Demands Immediate End to the Death Penalty in America -- Washington, DC (July 24, 2014) – It is reported that yesterday's execution of Joseph Rudolph Wood by the State of Arizona took nearly two hours, with Wood gasping for more than an hour and a half after the lethal drugs were injected into him. According to an Associated Press reporter who witnessed this grotesque spectacle, shortly after the drugs were administered "the gasping began.

Congressional Overcriminalization Task Force to Hold Hearing this Friday, July 25 -- Washington, DC (July 23, 2014) – This Friday, July 25, 2014, the bipartisan House Judiciary Overcriminalization Task Force will hold its tenth hearing. It will be held at 9:30 a.m. at 2237 Rayburn House Office Building. The topic of the hearing is "The Crimes on the Books and Committee Jurisdiction."

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to Speak at NACDL’s Annual Meeting -- Washington, DC (July 22, 2014) – NACDL is pleased to announce that U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. will address attendees at NACDL's 57th Annual Meeting and Seminar and 13th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference on Friday, August 1, 2014 at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel Ballroom in Philadelphia at 10:00 a.m. In his remarks, the Attorney General is expected to address topical issues of interest to the criminal defense bar.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds U.S. Sentencing Commission Vote Cutting Federal Prison Terms for Drug Offenses -- Washington, DC (July 18, 2014) – This afternoon, the U.S. Sentencing Commission took a significant step, long urged by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and numerous allied organizations in the criminal justice community, to cut federal prison terms for drug offenses. The reform adopted today retroactively decreases the drug table set forth in U.S. Sentencing Guidelines §2D1.1 by two-offense levels across all drug types. 

Longtime NACDL Member Cheryl Krause Confirmed by Senate to U.S. Court of Appeals -- Washington, DC (July  9, 2014)  – Philadelphia-based attorney Cheryl Krause was unanimously confirmed by the Senate to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Monday. She had been nominated by President Barack Obama in February. Ms. Krause, who was most recently a partner at the law firm Dechert LLP, was a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) from 2003, and served on the Association’s White Collar Crime Committee.

NACDL President Jerry J. Cox receives Kentucky Bar Association Distinguished Lawyer of the Year Award -- Washington, DC (June 26, 2014) – National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) President Jerry J. Cox received the Kentucky Bar Association’s (KBA) Distinguished Lawyer of the Year Award during the Association's recent Annual Banquet at the Marriott at RiverCenter in Covington. Cox received the award as a part of the KBA's Annual Convention which drew 1,850 lawyers to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center June 18-20.

NACDL Secretary Rick Jones Testifies at Congressional Overcriminalization Task Force Hearing on the Collateral Consequences of Arrest and Conviction -- Washington, DC (June 26, 2014) – The bipartisan Overcriminalization Task Force of the House Judiciary Committee held its eighth hearing this morning. National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Secretary Rick Jones, who is also the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and Co-Chair of NACDL's Task Force on the Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction, was one of two witnesses at the hearing.

The Fourth Amendment Lives Another Day: A Win for Digital Privacy in the U.S. Supreme Court -- Washington, DC (June 25, 2014) – In a single unanimous ruling today, the U.S. Supreme Court held in both Riley v. California (13-132) and United States v. Wurie (13-212) that even in the context of an arrest, absent exigent circumstances, a warrant is required for police to search the contents of electronic devices like a cellphone or smartphone.

Congressional Task Force on Overcriminalization to Hold Hearing on the Collateral Consequences of Arrest or Conviction this Thursday, June 26, 2014 MEDIA ALERT: Washington, DC (June 23, 2014) – The bipartisan Overcriminalization Task Force of the House Judiciary Committee has scheduled its eighth hearing this Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 9:30 am at 2237 Rayburn House Office Building. The topic of this hearing is "Collateral Consequences." A link to the Judiciary Committee web page on which the witnesses’ written testimony will be posted, as well as a webcast of the hearing, is here.

NACDL-Cardozo Law National Forensic College Advances Forensic Science Knowledge Among Public Defender Offices -- Washington, DC (June 12, 2014) – Public defenders from around the country, and other lawyers with training responsibilities, are gathering at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law from June 8 to 13, 2014, to train in the most current complex forensic science issues. 

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Releases Major Report on the Consequences of Arrest and Conviction Affecting At Least 65 Million People in America; Focus is Roadmap to the Restoration of Rights and Status -- Washington, DC (May 29, 2014) – At an event this morning at the Open Society Foundations in Washington, DC, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is releasing a major new report -- Collateral Damage: America’s Failure to Forgive or Forget in the War on Crime – A Roadmap to Restore Rights and Status After Arrest or Conviction. 

MEDIA ALERT: Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar to Release Major Report on the Consequences of Arrest and Conviction Affecting At Least 65 Million People in America; Focus is Roadmap to the Restoration of Rights and Status

Department of Justice Announces New Policy Concerning the Recording of Custodial Interrogations-- Washington, DC (May 21, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is greatly encouraged by the new DOJ policy, announced last week and effective July 11, 2014, creating a presumption in favor of recording custodial interrogations. 

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Deplores Political Attacks on the Criminal Defense Function -- Washington, DC (May 9, 2014) – While the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) does not endorse or oppose any candidates for office in any branch of government, NACDL does strongly deplore attacks on any attorney, including candidates representing any political party or ideology, arising out of the attorney’s representation of clients in criminal matters. Most recently, this disgraceful line of attack has reared its head in the Arkansas Supreme Court race. 

Federal Defender Cynthia W. Roseberry Appointed Project Manager for Clemency Project 2014 -- Washington, DC (May 9, 2014) – Attorney Cynthia W. Roseberry, who is currently the Executive Director of the Federal Defenders of the Middle District of Georgia, Inc., was today appointed as the Project Manager for Clemency Project 2014.

Seattle Defense Attorney Colette Tvedt Appointed Indigent Defense Director for Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (May 8, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today announces the appointment of Colette Tvedt as indigent defense training and policy director. She will begin at NACDL this June. Tvedt has devoted her career over the past 25 years to representing poor people accused of crimes.

Cynthia Orr and Rick Jones to be Honored at Aug. 1, 2014, Foundation for Criminal Justice Gala Celebration in Philadelphia, Pa. -- Washington, DC (May 6, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is pleased to announce that President Jerry J. Cox has today selected Cynthia Orr and Rick Jones to receive two of the Association's most prestigious honors. 

NACDL Launches Compendium on Electronic Recording of Interrogations -- Washington, DC (April 30, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is today excited to announce the launch of a new online compendium on electronic recording of custodial interrogations. This new resource aims to assist lawyers, advocates and members of the public interested in the electronic recording of interrogations. 

Grotesque Spectacle in Oklahoma Demands Immediate End to the Death Penalty in America -- Washington, DC (April 30, 2014) – It is reported that last night Oklahoma death row inmate Clayton Lockett died of an apparent heart attack some 43 minutes following the State of Oklahoma administering its first injection, and after Lockett's vein "exploded" and observers reported he remained conscious and even attempted to speak.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Deplores Political Attacks on the Criminal Defense Function -- Washington, DC (April 29, 2014) – While the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) does not endorse or oppose any political candidates, NACDL does strongly deplore attacks on any attorney, including political candidates representing any political party or ideology, arising out of the attorney’s representation of clients in criminal matters. 

SCOTUS to Hear Fishy Case; Will Examine Use of post-Enron Law in Prosecution of Fisherman -- Washington, DC (April 28, 2014) – Today, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a case highlighting the dangerous consequences stemming from the unconstitutional executive expansion of the federal law. In Yates v. United States, the government used a post-Enron anti-shredding statute to prosecute a fisherman for the disappearance of three fish from his shipping vessel.

Cellphone Privacy and the Fourth Amendment at the Supreme Court -- Washington, DC (April 24, 2014) – Next Tuesday, April 29, 2014, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in two important cases related to law enforcement searches of cellphones incident to arrest and the Fourth Amendment. The first case, United States v. Wurie, asks if police, without obtaining a warrant, should be allowed to review an arrestee’s cellphone call log. 

Clemency Project 2014 Praises Justice Department for Breathing New Life Into Clemency Process -- Washington, DC (April 23, 2014) – Deputy Attorney General James Cole announced today a new set of criteria the Justice Department and White House will use when considering clemency petitions from federal prisoners. The new criteria will help the Justice Department identify federal prisoners who, if sentenced today under current sentencing laws and policies, would likely have received a substantially lower sentence.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar to Play Critical Role in Clemency Project 2014 -- Washington, DC (April 22, 2014) - On January 30, 2014, the United States Department of Justice announced an ambitious program to provide clemency for certain federal inmates serving long sentences for certain non-violent crimes. In a speech delivered on that day, Deputy Attorney General James Cole called upon the nation's bar to assist potential candidates in assembling effective, appropriate and focused commutation petitions for consideration by the Department of Justice and President Obama.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Welcomes U.S. Sentencing Commission Vote to Reduce Drug Trafficking Sentences -- Washington, DC (April 11, 2014) - Yesterday, the U.S. Sentencing Commission took another step toward making federal drug sentences more reasonable. The agency approved an amendment that would reduce the guidelines level for most drug offenses by two levels, amounting to an 11-month sentence reduction on average. NACDL applauds the Commission’s action and urges Congress not to obstruct this modest, incremental reduction. 

Congressional Overcriminalization Task Force Holds Hearing on Overfederalization of Criminal Law - Washington, DC (March 27, 2014) -- This morning, the bipartisan House Judiciary Overcriminalization Task Force held its second hearing of 2014, and the subject was "Overfederalization."

Noted defense attorneys John Keker, Jan Nielsen Little receive White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL, Stetson Law - Washington, DC (March 24, 2014) -- On Saturday, March 22, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented both John Keker and Jan Nielsen Little with the 2014 White Collar Criminal Defense Award at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla. Keker and Little received their awards during NACDL’s White Collar Criminal Defense College at Stetson.

Redefining Indigence: Comprehensive National Report Reveals How States Decide Who is “Too Poor” to Hire a Lawyer -- Washington, DC (March 18, 2014) -- Marking the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today released a report revealing various ways states restrict access to counsel. In particular, states do so by applying unrealistic eligibility guidelines and imposing myriad fees when people are deemed eligible for assigned counsel. 

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Joins Letter to U.S. Senators Concerning Attacks on DOJ Civil Rights Division Nominee Debo Adegbile -- Washington, DC (March 13, 2014) – While the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) does not take positions on political nominees, NACDL does strongly deplore attacks on any attorney, including political nominees, arising out of the attorney’s representation of a client in a criminal matter.

Manuel D. Vargas, Senior Counsel at the Immigrant Defense Project, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (March 6, 2014) – This morning, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented Manuel D. Vargas, senior counsel at the Immigrant Defense Project, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented by NACDL President Jerry J. Cox at the opening of NACDL’s 2014 Midwinter Seminar & Meeting, which is devoted entirely to the subject of the collateral consequences of conviction.

Reauthorized Congressional Task Force on Overcriminalization Holds Hearing on Criminal Code Reform -- Washington, DC (Feb. 28, 2014) On February 5, 2014, the House Judiciary Committee adopted a resolution reauthorizing the bipartisan Overcriminalization Task Force for an additional six months, through August 5, 2014. This morning, the reauthorized Task Force held its first hearing of 2014, and the subject was "Criminal Code Reform."

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Releases Video Series for Journalists Covering Criminal Justice -- Washington, DC (Feb. 27, 2014) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today released a new series of tutorial videos aimed at assisting journalists interested in covering the criminal justice system. Criminal Justice and the Media is a three-part series exploring how journalists can effectively inform the public on what is one of the most important, dynamic and omnipresent forces in American society.

DOJ Opposes Legislating Discovery Reform but Declines to Disclose Its Own Federal Criminal Discovery Blue Book; Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Filed Federal Suit Today -- Washington, DC (Feb. 21, 2014) – In response to the public furor over the "egregious misconduct" by Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors in the case of the late Senator Ted Stevens, whose conviction was vacated after post-trial investigations revealed that prosecutors had withheld significant exculpatory evidence from the defense, DOJ’s Office of Legal Education published, but has not made available to the public...

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Reauthorization of Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Overcriminalization -- Washington, DC (Feb. 5, 2014) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee adopted a resolution reauthorizing the bipartisan Overcriminalization Task Force for an additional six months, through August 5, 2014. According to a press release issued by the House Judiciary Committee, the Task Force will continue to be evenly comprised of Democratic and Republican Members of Congress. 

Noted defense attorneys John Keker and Jan Nielsen Little to receive White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL, Stetson Law, in March -- Washington, DC (Feb. 3, 2014) — The winners of the 2014 White Collar Criminal Defense Award will be presented in March at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla. Notable litigators John Keker and Jan Nielsen Little, whose high-profile clients include...

Unanimous Supreme Court Applies Rule of Lenity; Reverses a 20-Year Mandatory Sentencing Enhancement for Sale of One Gram of Heroin -- Washington, DC (January 27, 2014)—Today, a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court issued an important criminal law ruling in the case of Burrage v. United States by applying the rule of lenity – a rule of statutory construction that resolves ambiguities in the language of a law in favor of the defendant.

President Takes A Pass on Ending Mass Data Collection -- Washington, DC (January 17, 2014) - Today, President Obama made a long-awaited speech on surveillance reform proposals. Unfortunately, the President chose to defer to Congress on key components of the most significant known program in need of reform—the bulk collection of Americans’ telephone metadata.