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 justice 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 justice system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal justice system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal justice 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.
Showing 1 - 15 of 185 results
The Board of Directors adopted a statement of principles regarding the overcriminalization of public health order violations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board of Directors adopted the following protocol for the Lawyers’ Assistance Strike Force on February 15, 2020.
The Executive Committee authorized NACDL’s president and executive director to seek available government and other financial assistance in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Resolutions adopted by NACDL's Board of Directors or Membership are posted online. Resolutions adopted prior to the year 2000 are posted as they are available. For more information on resolutions adopted prior to 2000, please contact NACDL.
NACDL opposes all laws that base criminal liability and/or penalty enhancements on one’s HIV status rather than on the intent to harm another individual. NACDL supports the repeal of such criminal laws as fundamentally unfair and unjust. Recognizing that outright repeal can result in the abusive use of existing statutes, NACDL also supports modernization of these criminal laws to incorporate strong principles of intent and proportional punishment.
NACDL urges the criminal defense bar to develop best practices for pretrial discovery. To that end, the Board authorizes the NACDL President to impanel a Rule 16.1 Task Force of practitioners and other experts to gather facts, collect data, and assess discovery procedures that have been implemented throughout the nation.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers urges the Government of Canada to abandon Bill S-10 and to reject mandatory minimum sentences; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers urges the Government of Canada to reallocate the money intended for S-10 to fund drug treatment and harm reduction programs, alternatives to incarceration, employment opportunities, and human services.
NACDL urges enactment of legislation to explicitly make all sentencing reform provisions of the First Step Act retroactive; to support commutation; and to support pro bono representation for inmates who might qualify for commutation pursuant to any systematic program announced by the Executive Branch.
NACDL supports pretrial policies and practices which ensure the protection of fundamental constitutional rights including the presumption of innocence, the prohibition on excessive bail, and robust due process protections. Fundamental to preserving these rights, is NACDL's efforts to ensure the right to counsel at first appearance.
NACDL adopts recommendations to reform flaws in criminal conspiracy law, and to calls for principled limits on the application of conspiracy law that recognize the inherent evidentiary, outcome reliability, and constitutional problems associated with all forms of conspiracy.
The Board unanimously adopted a Director and Leader Personal Conduct Policy.
NACDL is committed to providing a safe environment free of harassment, discrimination, intimidation and insult. NACDL prohibits any discrimination or harassment of our employees and program attendees based on a person’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other ground prohibited by the federal government, District of Columbia, relevant state or local law.
NACDL's Board of Directors adopted a resolution modifying the NACDL Continuing Legal Education Institute, as established by the Board of Directors on August 8, 2009.
NACDL opposes categorical, legislative prohibition of specific defenses.
