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.
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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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It has always been a presidential prerogative to pardon or commute federal sentences. Here is a modest proposal: What if all federal convictions were reviewed for pardons? Thousands of deserving people might receive an opportunity to reenter and participate in society.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Commends President Biden’s Latest Clemency and Pardon Actions – Washington, DC (Jan 19, 2025) – President Biden made a bold and commendable use of his executive power in the last hours of his presidency to pardon five individuals and commute the sentences of two individuals who have made significant contributions to improving their communities.
NACDL President Chris Wellborn Celebrates President Biden's Clemency for Leonard Peltier – Washington, DC (Jan 20, 2025) – In a momentous act of justice, President Joseph R. Biden granted clemency to Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Indigenous activist, member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and boarding school survivor who has spent nearly five decades in federal prison.
The Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds President Biden’s Commutations for Individuals Serving Harsh Sentences for Drug Crimes – Washington, DC (Jan 17, 2025) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) commends President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared with the sentences they would receive today under current law and policies.
Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Issues Statement on Election of Donald Trump as 47th President – Washington, D.C. (Nov. 7, 2024) – Christopher A. Wellborn, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) stated: “The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy, and millions of Americans exercised this fundamental right in choosing our nation’s next leader. While reactions to the election’s outcome may be sharply divided, as defense attorneys, we remain united by our mission to ensure the criminal legal system operates fairly for all accused."
Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Condemns Selective Prosecutions, Calls on Biden to Increase Use of Clemency Power – Washington, DC (December 2, 2024) – While President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, on federal tax and gun charges has sparked debate, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) remains steadfast in its commitment to combating overzealous, politicized, or selective prosecutions in all forms.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Praises Biden Clemency Announcement, Calls for Further Action – Washington, DC (December 12, 2024) – In his latest act of clemency, President Biden has pardoned 39 individuals and commuted the sentences of 1,500 people released on CARES Act home confinement. Among these individuals are clients of NACDL’s Return to Freedom Project. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) commends President Biden for what we are hopeful will not be the last exercise of his executive power.
NACDL and Indigenous Leaders Urge President Biden to Grant Clemency to Leonard Peltier – Washington, DC (December 16, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Indigenous leaders has sent President Joseph R. Biden a letter urging him to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Indigenous activist who has spent nearly five decades in federal prison.
Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds President Biden’s Commutation of 37 Federal Death Row Sentences – Washington, DC (December 23, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) emphatically commends President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of 37 of 40 individuals on federal death row. Last month, NACDL joined with a coalition of defense community leaders to call on President Biden to take a stand against the death penalty by commuting federal death sentences to life without parole. NACDL is grateful to President Biden for heeding this call.
Some of the trials lasted no more than five minutes. None of the Santee Dakota Indians – most who had no command of the English language – had interpreters, counsel, or the ability to call witnesses in their defense.
Christopher A. Wellborn is the 66th President of NACDL. The President guides the Association for a one-year term.
We are in the era of electronic discovery and ever-increasing information dumps. Defense lawyers are being provided with responses to discovery requests that contain terabytes of information. How do we advise a client concerning the strength or weakness of the government’s case if we must first examine and organize a terabyte of information?
Criminal defense lawyers stand as a bulwark against the forces that would seek to erase the rights and humanity of people accused of committing a crime. Standing as a fortress takes incredible courage, but the fearlessness of defense advocates is nothing new. History is filled with examples of defenders who risked their careers, reputations, and personal safety to stand up for their clients.
New Report from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Outlines How Marsy's Law Undermines the Criminal Legal System – Washington, DC (August 13, 2024) – A new report from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) outlines the ways in which Marsy’s Law, the colloquial name for a model Victims’ Bill of Rights, undermines fundamental due process rights.
Rock Hill, SC Lawyer Christopher A. Wellborn Installed as President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar –Washington, DC (Jul. 29, 2024) – Christopher A. Wellborn was sworn in as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s annual meeting in Seattle, WA on July 27.