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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Presented by Rene Valladares, Federal Public Defender, District of Nevada
Making objections is an essential part of defending clients and protecting their rights. To combat the daunting nature of objections, defense lawyers should be familiar with the objections they are most likely to encounter. Rene L. Valladares and Hannah Nelson provide practitioners with a primer on the top 20 objections. A useful flowchart and quick reference guides accompany the article.
Presented by Rene Valladares, Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada
The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Objections with Rene Valladares
Rene Valladares provides a roadmap for identifying and developing strategies for the evidence issues all defense lawyers face – including a framework to addressing relevance/prejudice, character/bad acts, privileges, opinion testimony, and more!
The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Hearsay Part II presented by Rene Valladares
The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Hearsay Part I presented by Rene Valladares
The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Character Evidence and Impeachment Part II presented by Rene Valladares
The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Character Evidence and Impeachment Part I presented by Rene Valladares
Expert evidence is frequently exploited by prosecutors keen on securing a conviction regardless of the reliability of the expert or the expert’s methodology. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in forensic science. To combat this pervasive problem, defense lawyers need to have a thorough understanding of Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and companion rules. Rene L. Valladares and Hannah Nelson discuss the rules, summarize cases favorable to the defense, and provide useful checklists.
President Carmen Hernandez's letter to Senate Judiciary Committee leadership regarding A bill to amend the Federal Rules of Evidence to address the waiver of the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine (S. 2450, 2007).
Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner (on Petition for a Writ of Certiorari).
Argument: Law enforcement officers testifying on matters based on their professional experience or training should be treated as expert witnesses under Federal Rule of Evidence 702, rather than Rule 701. Law enforcement officers have scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702. There is an intractable Circuit split on this issue and the Supreme Court should grant certiorari. The question presented arises in a wide variety of cases. Permitting law enforcement officers to furnish lay opinion testimony leads to unfair applications, including law enforcement officers being allowed to offer opinions no other lay witness would be permitted to give.
Decoding the Rules of Evidence: The Rule of Completeness. Presenter, Cheryl Stein
Decoding the Rules of Evidence: Practical Tips. Presenter, Cheryl Stein
Decoding the Rules of Evidence: Judicial Notice. Presenter: Cheryl Stein
