NACDL offers several opportunities for membership. NACDL membership categories are set by NACDL's board of directors, and currently include the categories listed on this page.

The Amicus Curiae Committee provides amicus assistance on the federal and state level in those cases that present issues of importance to criminal defendants, criminal defense lawyers, and/or the criminal justice system as a whole. It operates according to these program protocols, mission statement, and roster.

NACDL's board of directors has adopted a code of conduct policy (including conflicts of interest) and a personal conduct policy. All officers, directors, and active past presidents are required to annually execute this code.

NACDL adopted the following code of conduct for persons affiliated with NACDL activities or events on July 29, 2018, and amended by the Board of Directors on August 5, 2023 in  Chicago, Illinois.

The code of conduct was amended by the NACDL Board of Directors at its 2023 Annual Meeting. See below for more information.

NACDL's board of directors has adopted a code of conduct policy (including conflicts of interest) and a personal conduct policy. All officers, directors, and active past presidents are required to annually execute this code.

The code of conduct was amended by the NACDL Board of Directors at its 2023 Annual Meeting. See below for more information.

NACDL adopted the following code of conduct for persons affiliated with NACDL activities or events on July 29, 2018.

NACDL is committed to providing a safe environment free of harassment, discrimination, intimidation and insult. NACDL prohibits any discrimination or harassment of our employees and program attendees based on a person’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other ground prohibited by the federal government, District of Columbia, relevant state or local law.

Each year, the Budget Committee will be encouraged to include an allocation in the annual budget that will be designated for use as a board access fund. The purpose of the board access fund is to assist qualifying board members to help them defray the cost of attending board meetings.

On October 29, 2016, pursuant to Article IX, Section 4 of the Bylaws, the NACDL Board of Directors adopted as Board Policy the following rights and privileges of Affiliate Associations.

On October 29, 2016, pursuant to Article IX, Section 4 of the Bylaws, the NACDL Board of Directors adopted as Board Policy the following rights and privileges of Affiliate Associations.

NACDL adopted the current investment policy in 2010.

NACDL elections are run in accordance with, and candidates for NACDL office must adhere to, these board-adopted election policies.

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is committed to effective and transparent governance in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and best practices.

NACDL is committed to developing a membership that is representative of the diversity of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, disability and other backgrounds found in society, the criminal defense bar and the legal community.

NACDL recognizes that joint programming with other organizations may provide substantial benefits to the membership of the respective organizations and to the legal profession, and will consider partnering with other entities in under the following guidelines.