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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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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers adopted Ethics Opinion 12-02
NACDL adopts a report and recommendations on law enforcement searches of digital evidence.
NACDL endorses model legislation to promote nationwide discovery reform and improve the fairness of criminal justice systems.
The Board of Directors adopted model legislation to protect individual privacy against unwanted governmental intrusion through the use of drones
Resolution of the Board of Directors against torture and solitary confinement
The NACDL Board supports legislative efforts to reform existing federal restitution law to ensure fairness and accuracy; prevent restitution obligations from being overly burdensome; and to make it easier for restitution orders to be satisfied.
NACDL’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution calling for transparency and accountability of law enforcement.
NACDL Board of Directors Resolution in Support of the 14 Principles in the ABA CJS Plea Bargain Task Force Report
NACDL urges the criminal defense bar to develop best practices for pretrial discovery. To that end, the Board authorizes the NACDL President to impanel a Rule 16.1 Task Force of practitioners and other experts to gather facts, collect data, and assess discovery procedures that have been implemented throughout the nation.
NACDL urges enactment of legislation to explicitly make all sentencing reform provisions of the First Step Act retroactive; to support commutation; and to support pro bono representation for inmates who might qualify for commutation pursuant to any systematic program announced by the Executive Branch.
NACDL opposes categorical, legislative prohibition of specific defenses.
NACDL joins bar associations, legal services providers, policymakers, and judges in calling for an immediate and complete halt to the implementation of Directive Number 11072.1.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers deems that where warranted by the jurisdictional population needs and caseload, a proper public defense delivery system should comprise institutional offices of full-time attorney staff as well as meaningful participation of private attorneys with equal access to training and resources necessary to provide effective criminal defense.
NACDL believes that private prison contracts must require the private prison, at a minimum, to meet all government regulations and requirements for the care, treatment and protections of inmates and to be fully transparent and to comply with any and all reporting requirements authorized by law.
NACDL calls for the creation of an agency to oversee federal public defense that is wholly independent of the judiciary.