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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Brief of Amici Curiae the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Petitioner
Abortion is legal in Colorado at all stages of pregnancy, subject to parental notification for minors. A pregnant person cannot be punished for any conduct “based on the potential, actual, or perceived impact on the pregnancy, the pregnancy’s outcomes, or the pregnant individual’s health.”
20th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 18-20, 2021 | Held Virtually
Police departments across the country are increasing using predictive algorithms to decide where to patrol and who to investigate. These tools are also being used to create databases that label people as threats and feed them into the criminal legal system.
This panel highlights policing reforms adopted over the last year and what still needs to be done.
NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually Policing in America: Policing the Police
Public defense issues and developments in Colorado
NACDL issued a groundbreaking new report on restoring and reforming the grand jury system. This research reflects an in-depth study of grand jury reform in two states – New York and Colorado – and produces with four reform recommendations. [Released November 2011]
NACDL's work on pretrial advocacy in Colorado induding the publication of the Colorado Bail Manual. [Released September 2015]
Filed by pro bono counsel at Morrison & Foerster LLP, this lawsuit sought to invalidate Colorado Revised Statute § 16-7-301(4), which required a defendant to meet with a prosecutor before being assigned counsel. In Rothgery v. Gillespie County, 554 U.S. 191, 213 (2008), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a defendant’s right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution attaches at “a criminal defendant’s initial appearance before a judicial officer, where he learns the charge against him and his liberty is subject to restriction.”
NACDL is providing resources regarding the Criminalization of Pregnancy and Reproductive Health to the criminal defense community. Resources are provided without warranty or guarantee. Please consult the laws and rules of your state and local authorities. Please log in to access them. Membership is NOT required.
See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Colorado. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in Colorado that NACDL is tracking.
NACDL advocated for legislation to increase police transparency and accountability and to prevent excessive force.
Policies and rulings on lengthy imprisonment terms in Colorado.
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Defendants’ Joint Motion to Dismiss.
Information on the policy and history of recording custodial interrogations in Colorado.
Public defense issues and developments in Colorado