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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"Addressing the Intersection of Race in the Criminal Legal System" LOCATION: Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore, MD DATES: May 22-24, 2024
"Making Sense of Science: Forensic Science & The Law" LOCATION: Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV DATES: April 18-20, 2024
"Viva Voir Dire! Selecting, Connecting, and Winning a Jury Over" LOCATION: The Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas, NV DATES: February 14-17, 2024
"Winning Strategies for the Defense" LOCATION: St. Regis Hotel, Aspen, CO DATES: January 21-24, 2024
"Medical & Digital Evidence in Pregnancy-Related Cases" LOCATION: American University Washington College of Law, Washington, DC DATES: December 1, 2023 COST: FREE
"Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault & Child Victims Cases" LOCATION: Planet Hollywood Hotel, Las Vegas, NV DATES: November 15-17, 2023
CCLI Bring Your Own Case Program - November 2023 LOCATION: Courtyard by Marriott, Orlando, FL DATES: November 8-10, 2023
"Defending the White Collar Case: In & Out of Court" LOCATION: Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC DATES: October 18-21, 2023
The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers are please to join forces for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and entertainment while raising money for criminal legal reform.
This training program will aid those working to defend persons accused of homicide in drug-related overdose deaths. Each section of the program focuses on a different aspect of these cases. CLE is not available for this program.
Criminal records can have significant collateral consequences, for decades after a conviction, that affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life including employment and licensing, education, public benefits, voting rights and even volunteer opportunities. Expungement, the legal process of removing a criminal record, including arrests and convictions, from the public record, offers an opportunity for individuals to receive a meaningful second chance. Learn more about NACDL’s expungement clinics below.
Harsh, inflexible sentences may have political appeal, but they do not deter crime or make communities safer. At great cost to taxpayers, mandatory minimum sentencing laws force judges to hand down unnecessarily long prison terms, without regard for the specific offense or offender. Such sentencing laws disproportionately affect minorities and have contributed greatly to the explosive increase in the U.S. prison population during the past three decades.
With growing bipartisan consensus that sentencing laws have gone too far, NACDL supports measures to repeal these policies.
Following are some options for joining or rejoining NACDL, and a list of membership categories. This will give you an idea which is the appropriate member category for you. When you join online, you'll be asked a series of questions so the system can determine the most appropriate member type, based on your work.
The Board of Directors oversees the business and affairs of the organization and sets organization policy. The Board meets at least four times per year. It includes 35 directly-elected Directors and four Affiliate Representatives, all serving three-year terms of office. The seven officers of the association and the past presidents are also voting members at meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, a parliamentarian, who is appointed by the president, serves as a non-voting participant at all Board meetings. Read more about NACDL's Board of Directors.