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 justice system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal justice system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal justice 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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NACDL board member and former Forfeiture Abuse Task Force co-chair David B. Smith's written testimony to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security regarding proposed changes to federal restitution laws that would allow pretrial restraint of assets to assist in paying potential future restitution.
President John Wesley Hall's letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the potential impact of federal reporters' shield laws on the legal process of criminal cases, reflecting on the text of the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 (S. 448/H.R. 985).
President Barbara Bergman's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2005 (S. 829) and S. 1768, allowing cameras in courtrooms.
NACDL President Cynthia Orr's written statement to the U.S. Sentencing Commission regarding mandatory minimum sentencing in federal law.
Statement prepared for the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law regarding racial discrimination and disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system, and as it relates to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
Southern Center for Human Rights Director Stephen Bright’s written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Innocence Protection Act of 2001 (H.R. 912).
NACDL past president Gerald Goldstein's statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding ensuring the right to counsel in antiterrorism actions, including with the use of the USA PATRIOT Act.
President John Wesley Hall's statement to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security regarding public defense representation in criminal cases in Michigan and elsewhere.
President John Wesley Hall's statement to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security regarding issues in public defense representation, particularly for misdemeanor charges.
Native American Justice Committee chair Tova Indritz's letter to members of the Senate regarding The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 (S. 3320).
Native American Justice Committee chair Tova Indritz's statement to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security regarding the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009 (H.R. 1924).
President Gerald Goldstein's statement to the House Judiciary Committee regarding making false statements to the government, in relation to the Government Accountability Act of 1995 (H.R. 1678) and Hubbard v. U.S. 115 S.Ct. 1754 (1995).
Immediate Past President and Legislative Committee Chair Gerald Lefcourt's statement to the American Bar Association Ethics 2000 Commission regarding proposed rule changes that address communications with people represented by counsel.
Brief of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Cato Institute, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas, Due Process Institute, and Texas Public Policy Foundation as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendant-Appellant and Reversal.
Argument: The trial penalty is forcing virtually all criminal defendants to forgo their trial rights. The trial penalty erodes key foundations of the criminal justice system. The trial penalty fundamentally undermines the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial. The trial penalty compromises the integrity of the criminal justice system. Courts should carefully scrutinize sentencing recommendations that appear to penalize defendants for exercising their right to a jury trial.
President John Wesley Hall's letter to the House Judiciary Committee leadership regarding journalists maintaining confidentiality of sources and the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 (S. 448/H.R. 985).
