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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Investigative Omission Defenses, featuring Lisa J. Steele. Slides and article attached.
NACDL opposes categorical, legislative prohibition of specific defenses.
When the prosecution decides not to use a readily available and superior method of proof to link the defendant with the criminal activity, the defendant should be able to comment on the absence of such evidence. If the jury sees the investigation as unreasonable and can reasonably infer that the missing evidence might have been exculpatory, then defense counsel has a solid investigative omission defense.
Written statement of NACDL immediate past president Nina J. Ginsberg to the Virginia House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee regarding a proposed bill to categorically prohibit the use of specific defenses in criminal cases (see HB 2132).
NACDL President Nina J. Ginsberg's written statement to the Washington, D.C. City Council Judiciary and Public Safety Committee regarding proposed legislation to prohibit "panic" defenses in criminal cases.
What can defense lawyers do to improve alibi defenses?
A template document for a court notice of intent to present evidence of insanity at the time of offense.
This page contains materials and information related to particular criminal defenses.
The stash house sting — in which an undercover officer or an informant recruits suspects to “rob” a fictional location where drug dealers allegedly keep large amounts of drugs — is increasingly used by both state and federal law enforcement. Law professor and former county public defender Katharine Tinto describes the various tools and claims defense attorneys can use to fight these stash house cases.
In an attempt to find child predators, police officers visit Internet chat rooms and pretend to be underage. When arrested in these sting operations, most defendants plead guilty. But the chat room is a world of sexual fantasy. Did the defendant believe he was communicating with another adult who was pretending to be a child within the sexually charged atmosphere of an adult chat room?
NACDL amicus curiae brief in support of appellant.
Amicus curiae brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Defendant David Newland.
Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners
Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Reversing Money Laundering Convictions of Appellant, James Michael Farrell
