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Public Defense Scholarships

MAKE A REAL IMPACT BY SUPPORTING NACDL'S PUBLIC DEFENSE SCHOLARSHIP FUND THROUGH THE NACDL FOUNDATION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE (NFCJ).

 

With support through the NFCJ, donors and funders have allowed NACDL to offer financial assistance through scholarships to hundreds of attorneys working in public defense. 

In 2024 alone, we were able to provide 80 public defense scholarships for registration and/or travel for trainings through NACDL, NAPD, NCDC, NLADA, and Gideon's Promise. 

But demand is higher than we can meet, and with the budget cuts everyone is facing, we need your support now more than ever! For every application approved, two are denied because of funding restraints.

Please consider making a recurring gift to show your support throughout the year. $10, $15, $25 a-month can make a significant difference. 

Consider other tax-wise options

Many of our supporters choose to give stock, donate through a Donor Advised Fund, or make a Qualified Charitable Distribution—often more tax beneficial than cash gifts. If you’re considering this, please contact Clay Braswell, Chief Development Officer, at cbraswell@nacdl.org.

 

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RECENTLY ADDED & UPCOMING

  1. The Champion
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    March/April 2025

    What are the evidentiary implications of field sobriety tests in marijuana cases? Does the odor of marijuana give officers probable cause to search a vehicle?

  2. Amicus Brief
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    Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice

    Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and New York Council of Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

  3. News Release
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    News Release ~ Law Enforcement Executive Order

    NACDL Warns Executive Order's Dangerous Overreach Undermines Community Safety and Trust in Police – Washington, DC (April 29, 2025) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) expressed deep concern regarding the Executive Order titled "Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens," cautioning that several of its proposals represent a dangerous overreach that undermines these goals by jeopardizing individual rights and the legitimacy of law enforcement in the eyes of the community.

  4. Event
    /Nacdl/media/image_library/Learn/nacdlcleinstitute/2025_Post-Dobbs_Trial_Tactics_2025-02-26_v02_Event-Listing_2.jpg?ext=.jpg

    Trial Tactics for Pregnancy-Related Cases: Skills for Every Defender

    LOCATION: The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
    DATE: May 16-17, 2025
    COST: FREE (registration is required)
    CLE Credit: Up to 14.5 credits 

  5. Webinar
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    Collaborative Approaches to Appellate Defense: Recognizing Clients' Legal Expertise

    WHEN: Thursday, May 8, 3:00-4:30pm ET / 12:00-1:30pm PT
    CLE CREDIT: not available
    COST: Free