Seeking to promote rational and humane criminal justice policies for America, NACDL advocates before all three branches of the federal government. Below, please find official letters and testimony submitted to Congress and various government agencies on behalf of NACDL
2012
November 21, 2012, Letter in Support of Leahy ECPA Amendment
July 30, 2012, Coalition Letter on the Leahy Amendment to the Cybersecurity Act
June 18, 2012, NACDL Letter to Senator Dick Durbin on “Reassessing Solitary Confinement: The Human Rights, Fiscal and Public Safety Consequences”
June 15, 2012, Coalition Sign-On Letter Re Leaks of Highly Classified Information
June 11, 2012, Coalition Sign-On Letter Re Sunset of FISA Amendments Act of 2008
June 5, 2012, Coalition Letter on “Ensuring that Federal Prosecutors Meet Discovery Obligations”
May 3, 2012, NACDL and NAFD Advocacy Letter on H.R. 4970, the “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012”
April 23, 2012, NACDL Advocacy Letter Endorsing 6 Principles for Cybersecurity Legislation
April 23, 2012, Coalition Letter to the Senate on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 (“VAWA”) (S. 1925)
April 18, 2012, NACDL Letter on the House Judiciary Crime Subcommittee Hearing on The Prosecution of Former Senator Ted Stevens
March 28, 2012, NACDL Letter on the Senate Judiciary Hearing on the Special Counsel's Report on the Prosecution of Senator Ted Stevens
February 27, 2012, Coalition Letter to Oppose Legislative Proposals (S. 605, S. 409, and S. 839)
February 21, 2012, Coalition Letter on Guidance Concerning the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
February 16, 2012, Written Statement of NACDL President Lisa Wayne before the US Sentencing Commission on "Public Hearing on Federal Sentencing Options After Booker”
February 8, 2012, Written Statement of David Smith before the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on "Combating Transnational Organized Crime: International Money Laundering as a Threat to our Financial Systems."
February 6, 2012, NACDL Letter on Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 2012
2011
December 9, 2011, NACDL Letter on 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
December 9, 2011, NACDL Letter on H.R. 1823, the "Criminal Code Modernization and Simplification Act of 2011"
December 7, 2011, Written Statement of NACDL President Lisa Wayne before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on “Turning the Investigation on the Science of Forensics.”
November 30, 2011, NACDL Letter on H.R. 2572, the "Clean Up Government Act of 2011"
November 9, 2011, NACDL Letter on S. 1763, SAVE Native Women Act Tittle II -- tribal jurisdiction and criminal offenses
October 11, 2011, NACDL Letter on Hearing on “Uncertain Justice: The Status of Federal Sentencing and the U.S. Sentencing Commission Six Years after U.S. v. Booker.”
September 13, 2011, NACDL Letter on S. 1483, the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act.
August 2, 2011,NACDL Letter to Members of U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism on "Drug and Veterans Treatment Courts."
July 27, 2011, NACDL Letter on S. 401, the Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act, and S. 995, the Public Officials Accountability Act.
July 26, 2011, Written Statement of NACDL Board Member Timothy P. O'Toole Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on "H.R. 2572, the 'Clean Up Government Act of 2011.'"
June 14, 2011, Written Statement of NACDL Director of White Collar Crime Policy Shana-Tara Regon Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on the "Foreign Corrupt Practices Act."
March 21, 2011, NACDL Comments to the U.S. Sentencing Commission on Proposed Permanent Amendments.
March 17, 2011, Written Statement of NACDL President Jim E. Lavine Before the United States Sentencing Commission on "Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines and Issues for Comment."
2010
December 2, 2010, NACDL Letter to Members of Congress on the "New Courthouse for the San Antonio Division of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas."
September 28, 2010, Written Statement of NACDL President Jim E. Lavine Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on "Reigning in Overcriminalization: Assessing the Problems and Proposing Solutions."
September 28, 2010, Written Statement of Ellen S. Podgor Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on "Reigning in Overcriminalization: Assessing the Problems and Proposing Solutions."
September 28, 2010, Written Statement of Timothy O'Toole on behalf of NACDL Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on "Restoring Key Tools To Combat Fraud and Corruption After the Supreme Court's Skilling Decision."
May 27, 2010, Written Statement of NACDL President Cynthia Hujar Orr Before the United States Sentencing Commission on "Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Provisions Under Federal Law."
May 11, 2010, NACDL Letter to Representative Carnahan in Support for the "Universal Access to Methamphetamine Treatment Act"
April 27, 2010, NACDL Letter to Senator Feinstein on Compensation for the Federal Judiciary (S. 2725)
March 17, 2010, Written Statement of NACDL President Cynthia Hujar Orr; Mark Allenbaugh and Mark Rankin, Sentencing Committee; and Blair Brown, White Collar Crime Section; Before the United States Sentencing Commission on "Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines and Issues for Comment."
February 25, 2010, National Security Coalition Letter Opposing Any Motion to Recommit on the Intelligence Bill (HR 2701) That Would Bar Prosecution of Some Terrorism Defendants in Federal Criminal Court
February 24, 2010, Written Statement of NACDL President Cynthia Hujar Orr Before the Maryland General Assembly, Judicial Proceedings Committee on "Senate Bill 97 Maryland Public Defense Oversight Commission."
February 19, 2010, National Security Coalition Letter Opposing S 2977, Which Would Bar Prosecution of Some Terrorism Defendants in Federal Criminal Courts.
2009
December 16, 2009, Written Statement from NACDL and The Sentencing Project to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on "Human Rights and the Law regarding United States Compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination."
December 10, 2009, Written Statement of Tova Indritz Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on H.R. 1924 The "Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009."
December 10, 2009, Written Statement of Norman L. Reimer Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, on "Examining the State of Judicial Recusals after Caperton v. A.T. Massey."
November 17, 2009, National Security Coalition Letter to Oppose Inhofe Amendment (SA 2774) and DeMint Amendment (SA 2779)
November 4, 2009, National Security Coalition Letter to Oppose Senate Amendment Barring Prosecutions in Federal Criminal Courts (SA 2669)
October 30, 2009,NACDL Letter on S. 569, the "Incorporation, Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act."
October 29, 2009, National Security Coalition Letter in Support of the USA Patriot Amendments Act of 2009 (HR 3845)
September 30, 2009, National Security Coalition Letter in Support of Amendments to the Reauthorization of the Patriot Act (S. 1686).
September 9, 2009, Written Statement of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States"
August 21, 2009, National Security Coalition Letter on Revisions to the Military Commissions Act in the Senate-Passed Version of the National Defense Authorization Act
July 28, 2009, Letter to House of Representatives in Support of H.R. 3245, the "Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act."
July 22, 2009, Written Statement of President John Wesley Hall Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on "Over-criminalization of Conduct and Over-Federalization of Criminal Law"
June 25, 2009, Letter to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law on Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Non-Prosecution Agreements
June 10, 2009, Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee in Support of the "National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009" (S. 714)
June 9, 2009, Letter from President John Wesley Hall to House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security in support of H.R. 2289, the "Juvenile Justice Accountability and Improvement Act of 2009"
June 4, 2009, Written Statement of President John Wesley Hall Before the House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on "Indigent Representation: A Growing National Crisis"
May 21, 2009, Coalition Letter Urging Congress to Investigate Domestic Surveillance Laws
May 20, 2009, Coalition Letter in Support of the State Secrets Protection Act (S 417)
May 19, 2009, NACDL Letter of Support for the Equal Justice for Our Military Act (HR 569, S 357)
April 29, 2009, Written Statement of President John Wesley Hall Before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs on Restoring Fairness to Federal Sentencing: Addressing the Crack-Powder Sentencing Disparity
April 21, 2009, Letter to House of Representatives in Support of H.R. 265, the "Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act" and H.R. 1459, the "Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act"
April 21, 2009, Letter to Senate in Support of the Elimination of the Crack Cocaine Sentencing Disparity
April 15, 2009, Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Leaders in support of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency and Prevention Act (JJDPA)
April 1, 2009, Written Statement of Barry Pollack Before the House Judiciary Committee on Proposals to Fight Fraud and Protect Taxpayers
March 26, 2009, Written Statement of President John Wesley Hall Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on the Representation of Indigent Defendants in Criminal Cases
March 24, 2009, Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman and Ranking Member on Possible Amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection Act Increasing the Number of Youth Tried in Adult Court
March 23, 2009, Letter to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act: Barriers to Timely Compliance by States
March 2, 2009, Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee regarding Federal Reporters' Shield Legislation
March 2, 2009, Letter to House Judiciary Committee regarding Federal Reporters' Shield Legislation
February 26, 2009, Letter From NACDL and the Heritage Foundation to Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act
February 11, 2009, Letter From NACDL and the Heritage Foundation to Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act
2008
September 12, 2008, Letter from Tova Indritz to Senate Sponsors of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008
April 3, 2008, Testimony of David B. Smith Before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on Legislative Proposals to Amend Federal Restitution Laws
February 12, 2008, Written Statement of President Carmen Hernandez before Senate Judiciary Committee on Federal Cocaine Sentencing Laws
February 5, 2008, Letter to Senate in Support of The Drug Sentencing Reform And Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act
February 5, 2008, Letter to House of Representatives in Support of The Drug Sentencing Reform And Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act
January 30, 2008, Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee in Support of S. 2450 and Proposed Rule of Evidence 502
January 16, 2008, Letter to House of Representatives in Support of the Youth PROMISE Act
January 15, 2008, Letter to Senate and House Party and Judiciary Leaders Regarding Federal Judicial Compensation Legislation
2007
May 23, 2007, Written Statement of President Martin Pinales--Rising Crime in the United States
March 12, 2007, Letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committee Leaders Regarding Federal Judicial Compensation
2005
December 14, 2005, Letter to Congress Regarding H.R. 4437 (Border Protection, Anti-terrorism , and Illegal Immigration)
November 9, 2005, Written Statement of President Barbara Bergman- Regarding Cameras in the Courtroom
September 23, 2005, Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee members opposing expansion of the CODIS database (S. 1197)
April 12, 2005, Letter to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act
February 9, 2005, Letter to the House & Senate Judiciary Committee Members Urging Restraint on Criminal Sentencing (signed by leading business associations)
2004
April 14, 2004, NACDL Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Members opposing the expansion of the CODIS database (S. 1700).
2003
March 11, 2003, NACDL Letter to House & Senate Judiciary Committee members in support of Innocence Protection Act.
February 20, 2003, NACDL Letter to U.S. Sentencing Commission regarding Federal Cocaine Sentencing Policies
February 12, 2003, Letter for Senate to Amend or Oppose the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act (S. 153)
February 11, 2003, Letter to Senate to Amend or Oppose the PROTECT Act (S. 151)
January 30, 2003, Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee in Opposition to certain provisions in the PROTECT Act (S. 151)
2002
July 24, 2002, Letter from NACDL, ACLU & FAMM to Conferees on Corporate Responsibility Legislation, to Oppose Creating a General Attempt Crime in Financial Responsibility Bills.
June 12, 2002, Written Statement of NACDL President Irwin H. Schwartz Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on "Reducing the Risk of Executing the Innocent: The Report of the Illinois Governor's Commission on Capital Punishment."
June 5, 2002, NACDL Letter from President Irwin Schwartz to Members of the Senate on Revisions to the Attorney General's Guidelines Governing Criminal Investigations.
March 19, 2002, Written Statement of NACDL President Irwin H. Schwartz Before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on "Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines."
2001
December 4, 2001, Written Statement of Gerald H. Goldstein on "DOJ Oversight: Preserving Our Freedoms While Defending Against Terrorism."
June 27, 2001, Written Statement of Stephen B. Bright Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on "The Innocence Protection Act of 2001."
July 26, 2001, Written Statement of Professor David M. Zlotnick Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime on "The Consumer Product Protection Act of 2001."
June 12, 2001, Written Statement of Barry Scheck Before the Committee on Government Reforms, Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations on "How Effectively are State and Federal Agencies Working Together to Implement the Use of Newly Developed DNA Technologies."
June 11, 2001, Written Statement of William H. Buckman Before the United States Congressional Black Caucus on Racial Profiling.
March 19, 2001, Written Statement of Edward A. Mallet Before the United States Sentencing Commission on "Proposed Amendments to Ecstasy Guidelines."
2000
October 13, 2000, Testimony Questions for Carmen D. Hernandez on "Oversight of the United States Sentencing Commission: Are the Guidelines Being Followed?"
October 13, 2000, Written Statement of Carmen D. Hernandez Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Oversight on "Oversight of the United States Sentencing Commission."
September 21, 2000, Written Statement of E.E. Bo Edwards Before the Judicial Review Commission on the "Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act."
June 13, 2000, Testimony by Barry Scheck Before Judiciary Committee on Post-Conviction DNA Testing
May 11, 2000, Written Statement of William B. Moffitt Before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources on "Drug Sentencing Policy."
February 29, 2000, Written Statement of Samuel Guiberson Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Oversight and House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime on "Internet Denial of Service Attacks and the Federal Response."
1999
July 21, 1999, Written Statement of Samuel J. Buffone Before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Oversight on "Oversight of Federal Asset Forfeiture: Its Rule in Fighting Crime."
February 4, 1999, Written Statement of Gerald Lefcourt Before the American Bar Association Ethics 2000 Commission
May 6, 1999, Written Statement of Gerald Lefcourt Before the Senate Committee on Government Affairs on Federalism and Crime Control
1998
November 9, 1998, Written Statement of Professor Frank O. Bowman and Stephen L. Sepinuck Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution on the "Background and History of Impeachment."
April 1, 1998, Written Statement of Gerald B. Lefcourt Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Commerce, Justice and State, and the Judiciary "Regarding the Fiscal year 1999 Appropriation for Defender Services."
March
23, 1998, Written Statement of Speedy Rice "Against the Death Penalty" to the 54th United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
March 12, 1998, Written Statement of Leslie Hagin before the Subcommittee on the Constitution United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary on the "Citizen Protection Act of 1998."
1997
September 29, 1997, Testimony by Gerald B. Lefcourt -- Hearings Regarding Problems with the FBI Lab
September 18, 1997, Testimony by E.E. (Bo) Edwards -- Written Statement on Criminal Forfeiture
July 22, 1997, Testimony by E.E. (Bo) Edwards, David B. Smith, Richard J. Troberman -- Written Statement Regarding H.R. 1916 ("Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act") and the Current Federal Asset Seizure and Forfeiture
June 11, 1997, Testimony by David B. Smith -- Hearings on Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1997
June 11, 1997, Testimony by Gerald B. Lefcourt -- Hearings on Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1997
June 11, 1997, Testimony by Susan Davis, C.P.A. -- Hearings on Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1997
June 11, 1997, Testimony by E.E. (Bo) Edwards -- Written Statement Regarding Bi-Partisan Bill to Provide a More Just and Uniform Procedure for Federal Civil Asset Forfeitures
June 11, 1997, Testimony by David B. Smith -- Written Statement Regarding Bi-Partisan Bill to Provide a More Just and Uniform Procedure for Federal Civil Asset Forfeitures
May 13, 1997, Testimony by Dan S. Alcorn -- Written Statement on Oversight Hearings into the Forensic Laboratory of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
April 17, 1997, Testimony by Judy Clarke -- Fiscal Year 1998 Appropriation for Defender Services
April 16, 1997, Testimony by Elisabeth Semel -- Victims' Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 6 (105th Congress) (Now S.J. Res. 44 pending in the U.S. Senate, 105th Congress)
1996
March 6, 1996, Testimony by Jeralyn E. Merritt -- Written Statement Regarding Federal Marijuana Sentencing
July 12, 1996, Testimony by William B. Moffitt -- Written Statement Regarding "Three Strikes" Sentencing
September 12, 1996, Testimony by Tim Evans -- Written Statement Regarding H.R. 3386 ("Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors Act of 1996")
September 12, 1996, Testimony by Tim Evans -- Ethical Standards For Federal Prosecutors Act Of 1996; H.R. 3386 (104th Congress)
July 22, 1996, Testimony by E.E. "Bo" Edwards -- Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act; H.R. 1916
July 12, 1996, Testimony by William B. Moffitt -- "Three Strikes" Sentencing
July 11, 1996, Testimony by Elisabeth A. Semel -- Proposed "Victims' Rights" Amendment: H.J. 173 & H.J. 174 (104th Congress)
1995
October 24, 1995, Testimony by Loren Weiss -- S.1101, The Federal Courts Improvement Act
July 21, 1995, Testimony by Tim Evans -- Written Statement Regarding Executive Branch Conduct in the matter of the Branch Davidians
July 19, 1995, Testimony by Jack Zimmermann -- Waco Hearings
July 19, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Written Statement Regarding Executive Branch Conduct In the Matter of the Branch Dividians
July 12, 1995, Testimony by William Moffitt -- Written Statement Regarding "Three Strikes" Sentencing
June 30, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Written Statement Regarding H.R. 1678 and Hubbard v. United States
June 29, 1995, Testimony by William Moffitt -- Written Statement Regarding Cocaine Sentencing Disparity
May 11, 1995, Testimony by Richard Kammen -- Defender Services Appropriation for FY 1996
April 10, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Cocaine Sentencing
April 6, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Written Statement Regarding International Terrorism
March 28, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Written Statement Regarding Habeas Corpus Reform
March 10, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Written Statement In Opposition to Section 507 of S. 3, "Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act"
January 19, 1995, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- Written Statement Regarding Habeas Corpus Reform
1994
March 1, 1994, Testimony by Gerald H. Goldstein -- Written Statement Concerning "Correcting the Revolving Door of Justice: New Approaches to Recidivism" and "Three Strikes and You're Out" Proposals
December 16, 1994, Testimony by Gerald Goldstein -- The Proposed Long Range Plan for the Federal Courts
Hard Copy Only
The following testimony is available on hardcopy only.
To receive a copy, please contact NACDL's Legislative Director at (202) 872-8600 ext. 226.
February 29, 1996, Testimony by William J. Genego -- Proposed Changes in Federal Rules of Evidence, Appellate Procedure and Criminal Procedure
December 15, 1995, Testimony by James Farragher Campbell -- Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire
September 28, 1995, Testimonyby Marvin D. Miller -- H.R. 1552 False Identification Act & H.R. 2359 To Create "Death Capital USA" in Terre Haute, IN
July 1995, Testimony by Dick DeGuerin -- Waco Hearings