On March 18, 1963, in Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court laid the foundation for our nation’s public defense system. In their ruling the Court made clear that providing counsel to those facing criminal charges was a “fundamental right, essential to a fair trial.” Today we continue to fight to make the constitutional promises of counsel and of a fair trial realities.

Brief for Amicus Curiae the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Petitioner

The Sixth Amendment promises in every criminal prosecution the accused shall have the right to counsel in their defense. Yet this core constitutional provision remains largely unrealized. Beyond the oft-documented challenges of our public defense system, the basic Sixth Amendment promise, counsel whenever a person faces criminal prosecution, eludes many who appear in courtrooms large and small across the country.

Access to high caliber training is critical to ensuring defense lawyers are able to fulfill their role as a meaningful check on government abuse, a knowledgeable advisor, and a zealous advocate on behalf of their clients. To help public defense lawyers get access to this training, NACDL, through generous grant funding, offers scholarship assistance. Scholarships are awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursements of registration. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.

Few names in public defense are as iconic as that of Clarence Earl Gideon. In 1961, with an 8th grade education and a history of being in and out of jail, Gideon stood trial for burglary of a Florida pool hall. When the court called the case and asked if he was ready for trial Gideon replied "I am not ready, your Honor." When the judge asked why, he explained "I have no counsel." 

Outmanned and outgunned Jose J. Monsivais

Norman Reimer receives NACDL’s 2002 Champion of Indigent Defense Award Susan J. Walsh

A Look Ahead at 2007

The Press Is Finally Getting It Steven D. Benjamin

The Georgia Justice Project turns lives around through aggressive defense, holistic relationships Douglas Ammar

Big shoes; News briefs

The Georgia Indigent Defense Act of 2003 Marion Chartoff

Federal indigent defense on appeal: The First Circuit’s experience Peter B. Krupp, David Beneman

Faulty forensic evidence Michele Nethercott

New York court finds failure to raise rates of assigned counsel violates state constitution Susan J. Walsh