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 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 Virginia Redemption Project recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to assist individuals incarcerated in Virginia’s prisons to petition for post-sentencing relief and executive clemency (which in Virginia is called a conditional pardon and is an act by the governor to modify a sentence). Having counsel through the process greatly increases the chances of success, and the Virginia Redemption Project is focused on ensuring that those who want to file a conditional pardon and cannot afford a lawyer have access to meaningful review of their case.
NACDL continues to actively oppose legislative efforts in Virginia to categorically prohibit certain defenses in criminal cases.
Written statement of NACDL immediate past president Nina J. Ginsberg to the Virginia House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee regarding a proposed bill to categorically prohibit the use of specific defenses in criminal cases (see HB 2132).
Coalition comments to Deputy Director of the Virginia State Crime Commission Colin Drabert regarding the Pretrial Data Project's proposed legislation to allow for public access to their data.
NACDL worked with partners in Virginia to foster the passage of comprehensive pretrial data collection legislation.
Coalition letter to Executive Director of the Virginia State Crime Commission Kristen Howard regarding questions and concerns with the Commission's Pretrial Data Project report.
Letter from the Pretrial Justice Coalition to Virginia legislative leadership in their capacity as chair and vice-chair of the Virginia State Crime Commission regarding the need to release the data used in the Commission's Pretrial Data Project so the public can best assess the report and the state's pretrial system.
NACDL is working with coalition partners in Virginia to ensure access to counsel at first appearance.
NACDL engaged in multiple urgent campaigns to strategically decarcerate jails and prisons in Virginia in order to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on correctional facilities. Viral outbreaks in tight congregate living spaces like jails and prisons can be catastrophic for those living and working inside facilities and those in the surrounding communities.
NACDL worked with partners in Virginia to repeal all presumptions against bail in the Virginia Code.
NACDL letter of opposition to Virginia Governor Terence R. McAuliffe regarding HB 815, which would make the electric chair the default method of execution if lethal injection drugs are not available in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Virginia. To see active criminal justice legislation in Virginia that NACDL is tracking, click the button at the bottom of the page.
Coalition letter in support of Virginia Pretrial Data Transparency Bill, HB 2121/SB 1687. NACDL is a signatory.
The Virginia Redemption Project is currently at capacity and not accepting applications.
Recent legislative changes to Virginia Code 16.1-272 give the judiciary greater guidance and discretion in sentencing youth convicted of felony offenses in Virginia. This program features an overview of the blended sentencing provisions for juveniles transferred to circuit court followed by a discussion of the new sentencing provisions passed earlier this year.
