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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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NACDL President Lisa Wayne's comments to the Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy regarding a proposed rule that would allow states to limit federal review of capital post-conviction cases.
NACDL President Jim Lavine's comments to the Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy regarding a proposed rule that would allow states to limit federal review of capital post-conviction cases.
Brief of Amici Curiae Prison Law Office, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Nevada, Ethics Bureau at Yale, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and National Juvenile Defender Center in Support of Plaintiff-Appellant and in Support of Reversal.
Argument: Nevada Department of Correction (NDOC) staff’s acts of listening to confidential legal calls burden attorneys’ First Amendment Rights. NDOC staff’s practice of listening to legal calls impairs attorneys’ duty to communicate and keep clients reasonably informed. NDOC staff’s actions prevent attorneys from complying with their ethical duty of confidentiality. NDOC staff’s actions prevent attorneys from complying with their ethical duties of competent and diligent representation.
Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Prison Law Office, American Civil Liberties Union, and ACLU of Arizona in Support of Plaintiff-Appellant Nick Mangiaracina; and in Support of Reversal.
Argument: Maricopa County Jail (MCJ) staff opening legal mail between plaintiff and attorneys outside his presence violates the First Amendment rights of the attorneys. The alleged actions of MCJ staff prevent attorneys from complying with their ethical duty of confidentiality. The interference with plaintiff's legal mail results in lawyers neglecting their duties of competent and diligent representation. The opening of plaintiff's legal mail impairs lawyers' duty to communicate and keep their client reasonably informed.
