Press Center

 Tools and Resources for Media Professionals

Our Public Affairs and Communications team works with news media across platforms to share analysis, perspectives, and insights from criminal defense attorneys. Our experts are available by phone and email; they may conduct broadcast interviews in-person or via Zoom or Skype. 


Media Contacts 

If you are a member of the media seeking an interview, email us or call us with your name, organization, topic of interest, and contact information. Please let us know if you have a deadline. 

 

Areas of Expertise 

NACDL – the nation’s defense bar – offers media staff and experts available to handle inquiries from journalists on national issues affecting the rights of people accused of crimes. Areas of expertise include conspiracy; the death penalty; discovery; the proliferation of drones inside the U.S.; drug law; DUI/DWI; economic crimes also known as “White Collar crimes”; the exclusionary rule; expungement and the restoration of rights; eyewitness ID; forfeiture; Fourth Amendment issues, such as search and seizure laws and privacy issues; grand jury proceedings; habeas corpus; juvenile justice; national security; overcriminalization; pregnancy-related defense and the post-Dobbs criminalization of pregnancy status and reproductive healthcare; pretrial release; public defense; racial disparity in the criminal justice system; recording interrogations; RICO; sentencing, including federal sentencing guidelines; sex offenses; the trial penalty; and more. 
 

Description of NACDL 

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors, and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system. 
 

Our Mission 

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. 


Media Resources 

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  1. NACDL Report Demonstrates Impact of Tracking Police Misconduct, Urges Defenders to Join Movement Cover
    • News Release

    NACDL Report Demonstrates Impact of Tracking Police Misconduct, Urges Defenders to Join Movement

    NACDL Report Demonstrates Impact of Tracking Police Misconduct and Urges Every Defender to Join The Movement – Full Disclosure Project Report Marks Fifth Anniversary of the Police Killing of Anton Black – Washington, DC (Sept. 15) – A new National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) report demonstrates how defenders have transformed the legal system by tracking and exposing newly available police misconduct data. 

    • News Release

    NACDL September 2023 MD Expungement Clinic

    NACDL Partnering with Community Groups to Offer Marylanders Free Advice on How to Clear Criminal Records – Washington, DC (Sept. 6) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is partnering with Maryland organizations to offer free advice and resources on how to expunge, clear, or seal eligible criminal records. 
    • News Release

    News Release ~ 08/25/2023

    NACDL Applauds U.S. Sentencing Commission Vote on Retroactive Reduction for Many Incarcerated Individuals – Washington, DC, (Aug. 25, 2023) – The nation’s criminal defense bar applauds the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s August 24 vote to make retroactive the recent amendments to sentencing guidelines that permit targeted, evidence-based sentence reductions. As a result, beginning on February 1, 2024, courts can begin resentencing certain currently incarcerated individuals who could be eligible for reduced sentences.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ Anthony Powers 2023 SCJN Award

    Anthony Powers Receives the 2023 Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award From Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 17, 2023) – Anthony Powers, Reentry Program Director for the Seattle Clemency Project, was presented with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL's 22nd Annual State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) Conference. The award recognizes an individual or group whose tremendous efforts have led toward progressive reform of a state criminal legal system. 

    • News Release

    News Release ~ Desmond Meade Champion of Justice

    Desmond Meade Receives Champion of Justice Rights Restoration Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 14, 2023) – Voting rights activist and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Desmond Meade was awarded the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Champion of Justice Rights Restoration Award at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Chicago.

    • News Release

    News Release ~ Nina Ginsberg Heeney Award

    Alexandria, VA Attorney and NACDL Past President Nina Ginsberg Receives Prestigious 2023 Heeney Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 11, 2023) – Alexandria, VA attorney and NACDL Past President Nina Ginsberg received the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's annual meeting. The Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award is given annually to the criminal defense attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of the Association and the legal profession.

    • News Release

    News Release ~ Milton Hirsch Award

    The Hon. Milton Hirsch Receives the Judicial Recognition Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 8, 2023) – Judge Milton Hirsch of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida received the Judicial Recognition Award at NACDL’s board meeting in Chicago on August 5. NACDL presents its Judicial Recognition Award to acknowledge judges who demonstrate a continuing dedication to protecting democratic principles and the fundamental rights of individuals within American society.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ 2023-24 Officers and Board Members

    2023-24 Officers and Newly-Elected and Re-Elected Members of the NACDL Board of Directors Installed at Annual Meeting – Washington, DC (Aug. 7, 2023) – NACDL installed newly-elected officers and directors at its Annual Board and Membership Meeting on August 5.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ Alice Fontier Parliamentarian

    New York, NY Attorney Alice Fontier Sworn In as Parliamentarian of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar - Washington, DC (Aug. 7, 2023) - Alice Fontier was sworn in as Parliamentarian of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Annual Meeting in Chicago on August 5. 
    • News Release

    News Release ~ Stephen Ross Johnson Secretary

    Knoxville, TN Attorney Stephen Ross Johnson Sworn In as Secretary of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 7, 2023) – Stephen Ross Johnson was sworn in as Secretary of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's annual meeting held on August 5 in Chicago, IL.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ C. Melissa Owen Second Vice President

    Charlotte, NC Lawyer C. Melissa Owen Installed as Second Vice President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 7, 2023) – C. Melissa “Missy” Owen was sworn in as Second Vice President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s annual meeting in Chicago, IL on August 5.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ Christopher A. Wellborn President-Elect

    Rock Hill, SC  Lawyer Christopher A. Wellborn Installed as President-Elect of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 7, 2023) – Christopher A. Wellborn was sworn in as President-Elect of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s annual meeting in Chicago on August 5. 
    • News Release

    News Release ~ Michael Heiskell President

    Noted Fort Worth Attorney Michael Heiskell Installed as President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug.  7, 2023) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) swore in noted Fort Worth, Texas Attorney Michael “Mike” Heiskell as its 65th President at the Association’s annual meeting in Chicago.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ Benjamin Crump Award

    Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Presents Champion of Justice Award to Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin L. Crump  – Washington, DC (Aug. 4, 2023) – Benjamin L. Crump was awarded the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Champion of Justice Civic & Humanitarian Award during the Association’s Annual Meeting in Chicago on August 4.
    • News Release

    News Release ~ 05/12/2023

    NACDL Executive Director Lisa Monet Wayne Bestowed Colorado Criminal Defense Bar’s Lifetime Achievement Award – Denver, CO (May 12, 2023) – Lisa Monet Wayne, Executive Director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), received the Alvin D. Lichtenstein Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (CCDB) at a ceremony at the University of Denver on May 12.

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