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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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The Guardian
Recently enacted revisions to the Louisiana abortion regulation scheme render intentionally causing an abortion (including administering, prescribing, providing or selling on the internet any drugs or substances) by anyone, including licensed physicians but excepting the pregnant woman, from the point at which a pregnancy is "clinically diagnosable" (blood or urine test or ultrasound possible that indicates implantation has occurred), a criminal offense subject to terms of imprisonment from 1 to 10 years and fines. The prohibition does not provide an exception for rape or incest.
Public defense issues and developments in Louisiana
The crisis in public defense in Louisiana has been well-documented by the news media over the past several years. Stories of overloaded public defenders, unrepresented individuals languishing in jail, and mass pleas have shocked the nation’s conscience, but the system’s shortcomings have long evaded reform. However, much coverage of the public defense crisis in Louisiana, the state with the highest incarceration rate in the nation, has focused its attention on the consequences of the crisis rather than its causes. [Released March 2017]
An NACDL-supported class action filed by pro bono counsel at Baker Botts LLP and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, the suit alleged that deficiencies in the Calcasieu Parish public defense system were so extreme that defendants were being denied their right to counsel as guaranteed by the U.S. and Louisiana Constitutions. The lawsuit alleged that due to substantial under-funding, public defender clients did not have their cases properly investigated, had infrequent communication with their attorneys, and experienced extraordinary delays in the processing of their cases.
NACDL is providing resources regarding the Criminalization of Pregnancy and Reproductive Health to the criminal defense community. Resources are provided without warranty or guarantee. Please consult the laws and rules of your state and local authorities. Please log in to access them. Membership is NOT required.
See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Louisiana. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in Louisiana that NACDL is tracking.
NACDL supports abolition of the death penalty in Louisiana and all other states that continue to utilize it.
Policies and rulings on lengthy imprisonment terms in Louisiana.
Information on the policy and history of recording custodial interrogations in Louisiana.
Attorney-client communications federal caselaw and state-specific anecdotal data in Louisiana
Summary of recent discovery reforms adopted by states
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA: USA v. Licciardi & Nunez
Jones v. Cain Amended and Supplemental Application for Post-Conviction Relief
Letter of May 2019 to Senate objecting to HB 131
Public defense issues and developments in Louisiana