Nation’s Defense Bar Mourns Loss of Legal Titan Neal R. Sonnett – (Washington, DC, July 15, 2024) – Renowned criminal defense attorney Neal R. Sonnett, the founder of Neal R. Sonnett, P.A., of Miami, Florida, passed away on July 11, 2024. A towering figure in the legal world, Sonnett was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to justice and his exceptional legal acumen.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Passage of Federal Prison Oversight Act – Washington, DC (July 11, 2024) – Congress has passed the Federal Prison Oversight Act, a bill that bolsters inspections of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) by mandating risk-based evaluations of BOP facilities and establishes a Department of Justice (DOJ) Ombudsman to manage complaints and investigations and prohibits BOP retaliation against individuals who make complaints to the Ombudsman. The bill is awaiting the president’s signature.

Nation’s Defense Bar Applauds Biden’s Pardons of Veterans Unjustly Convicted Under Military Code Prohibiting Gay Sex – Washington, DC (June 26, 2024) – The nation’s criminal defense bar applauds President Joe Biden for his proclamation pardoning approximately 2,000 American veterans unjustly convicted under a discriminatory military code that criminalized homosexual behavior from 1951 to 2013.

Nation's Defense Bar Calls for Immediate Action to Combat Rampant Prosecutorial Misconduct in Florida – Washington, DC (June 17, 2024) – Prosecutorial misconduct plagues the criminal legal system, and defense attorneys play a crucial role in exposing it. As evidenced by numerous cases brought to light by the Florida defense bar, it is rampant in that state and corrective action is long overdue.

Nation’s Defense Bar Sues DOJ for Transparency on New Charging and Sentencing Policies Under FOIA – Washington, DC (June 6, 2024) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) have filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) seeking public records detailing the Department of Justice’s implementation of December 2022 memoranda establishing new policies for all federal prosecutors’ charging and sentencing practices. 

The Hon. Justice Geraldine Hines Receives the Judicial Recognition Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (May 28, 2024) – Retired Justice Geraldine S. Hines of the Massachusetts Supreme Court received the Judicial Recognition Award at NACDL’s Race Matters conference in Baltimore on May 23. NACDL presents its Judicial Recognition Award to acknowledge judges who demonstrate a continuing dedication to protecting democratic principles and the fundamental rights of individuals within American society.

Renowned Baltimore Attorney William ‘Billy’ Murphy, Jr. Honored by Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (May 28, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) honored William H. “Billy” Murphy, Jr., a civil rights advocate, civil litigator, former judge, and criminal defense attorney who has fought for justice and reform in Baltimore for over 50 years. Judge Murphy was presented the Trailblazer for Justice Award at a reception in his honor hosted by NACDL’s Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ).

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Presents Champion of Justice Award to South Texas College of Law Houston – Washington, DC (May 23, 2024) – South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) was awarded the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Champion of Justice Legal Award at the 2024 Race Matters Seminar in Baltimore.

Decriminalization of Marijuana and Clemency Urged for Non-Violent Cannabis Offenses: Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Calls on President Biden – Washington, DC (May 3, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is urging President Biden to decriminalize marijuana and to grant clemency to individuals incarcerated for marijuana offenses. In a letter to the White House Counsel on April 30, the nation’s criminal defense bar urged immediate commutation of sentences, compassionate release, and second chances for persons convicted of marijuana offenses.

National Criminal Defense Bar Partners With Community Groups to Offer Marylanders Free Advice on How to Clear Criminal Records – Washington, DC (March 15, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is partnering with Maryland organizations to offer free advice and resources on how to expunge, clear, or seal eligible criminal records. 

Criminal Defense Lawyer Travis Finck Elected to Board of Directors of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Feb. 20, 2024) – North Dakota criminal defense lawyer Travis Finck was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s Midwinter Board Meeting in Las Vegas. He joins those who are currently serving their terms on the NACDL Board of Directors.