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 168 results
Coalition letter to Senate Judiciary Committee leadership regarding applying the State Secrets Protection Act (S. 417, 2009) to maintain national security while ensuring proper due process.
President John Wesley Hall and NACDL Sex Offender Policy Task Force chair Michael Iacopino's letter to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security regarding the difficulties of state compliance and other concerns with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (H.R. 4472).
President John Wesley Hall's letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the potential impact of federal reporters' shield laws on the legal process of criminal cases, reflecting on the text of the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 (S. 448/H.R. 985).
Native American Justice Committee chair Tova Indritz's letter to members of the Senate regarding The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 (S. 3320).
NACDL Executive Director Norman Reimer's written statement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy regarding judicial recusals post-Caperton v. A.T. Massey.
Written statement of NACDL second vice president E.E. (Bo) Edwards to the Judicial Review Commission on Foreign Asset Control regarding the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (H.R. 3164, 1999).
Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee leadership regarding the Attorney General's new guidelines for criminal investigations addressing FBI oversight of agents and field offices.
Brief of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Cato Institute, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas, Due Process Institute, and Texas Public Policy Foundation as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendant-Appellant and Reversal.
Argument: The trial penalty is forcing virtually all criminal defendants to forgo their trial rights. The trial penalty erodes key foundations of the criminal justice system. The trial penalty fundamentally undermines the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial. The trial penalty compromises the integrity of the criminal justice system. Courts should carefully scrutinize sentencing recommendations that appear to penalize defendants for exercising their right to a jury trial.
Published in The Champion December 2011
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.
On May 5, 2010, NACDL and The Heritage Foundation released this groundbreaking, non-partisan report. At the release event, NACDL Executive Director Norman L. Reimer described the report as a "blueprint for principled reform" and urged "every elected official to end the madness that has produced over 4,450 federal criminal statutes, and countless tens of thousands more arising from the unchecked power of regulatory authorities." [Released May 2010]
Nearly a half million people, or approximately three percent of Florida's adults, pass through the state's misdemeanor courts each year. Most are found guilty. The average court appearance lasts as little as three minutes. [Released July 2011]
NACDL created The Commission to Reform the Federal Grand Jury, drawing on the expertise of a variety of professionals throughout the criminal justice system. Commissioners spent two years examining the need for changes in the grand jury process and produced a Federal Grand Jury Bill of Rights based on their findings. The ten reforms set forth in this Bill of Rights, largely echoing those proposed by the American Bar Association (ABA) more than 20 years ago, would restore balance to the grand jury process and better protect against unwarranted prosecutions. [Released May 2000]
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.
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.
