Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Praises New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's "Historic" Blanket Pardon Affecting Thousands of Non-Violent, Former Teenage Offenders -- Washington, DC (Dec. 21, 2015) – Today, the Office of New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially announced a plan to pardon many thousands of people who were convicted of a misdemeanor or a non-violent felony at the age of 16 or 17, but who have had no other convictions since. The criteria that applicants must meet are provided here. 

Clemency Project 2014 Welcomes Commutation of 95 Federal Prison Sentences -- Washington, D.C. (Dec. 18, 2015) – In his first clemency grants since July, President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 95 prisoners today, 27 of whom were applicants whose petitions were supported by Clemency Project 2014.

Mens Rea Matters: Senators Introduce Strong Criminal Intent Legislation -- Washington, DC (Nov. 18, 2015) – On Monday, bipartisan leadership from the House Judiciary Committee and House Crime Subcommittee introduced important legislation to address the erosion in the criminal intent, or mens rea, requirement in federal criminal law, legislation which today passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by a unanimous voice vote.

Mens Rea Matters: Bipartisan Move in the House to Codify Criminal Intent Requirement -- Washington, DC (Nov. 17, 2015) – Bipartisan leadership from the House Judiciary Committee last night introduced important legislation to address the erosion in the criminal intent, or mens rea, requirement in federal criminal law.

NACDL President E.G. "Gerry" Morris Testifies before Criminal Justice Act Review Committee -- Washington, DC (Nov. 17, 2015) – Today, E.G. "Gerry" Morris, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) testified on behalf of the Association at a public hearing of the Committee to Review the Criminal Justice Act Program (CJA Committee) of the Judicial Conference of the United States in Santa Fe, N.M.

Hon. John Gleeson Receives Defense Bar's Judicial Recognition Award -- New York, NY (October 22, 2015) – Today, U.S. District Judge John Gleeson of the Eastern District of New York received the prestigious Judicial Recognition Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's 11th Annual White Collar Seminar amp; Fall Board Meeting at Fordham University.

Bipartisan Sentencing Bill Introduced in the House an Acknowledgment of the Need for Criminal Justice Reform -- Washington, DC (Oct. 8, 2015) – Earlier today, several leaders and members of the House Judiciary Committee from both parties introduced The Sentencing Reform Act of 2015, a summary of which was provided here. This legislation comes on the heels of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act introduced last week in the U.S. Senate. 

Bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act Introduced; Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Calls Certain Provisions "An Important Move In The Right Direction" -- Washington, DC (Oct. 1, 2015) – This morning, in action unprecedented in recent decades, a broadly bipartisan group of U.S. Senators announced the introduction of the "Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act," a bill that appears to include certain provisions aimed at reversing America's overly harsh, overburdened and ineffective criminal justice system.

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Releases Defense Attorney Guide to Adult Pretrial Release in Colorado; Additional States Forthcoming -- Washington, DC (Sept. 21, 2015) – In partnership with the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender and the Colorado Criminal Defense Institute, and with grant support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) has published the Colorado Bail Book: A Defense Attorney's Guide to Adult Pretrial Release and made it available today to Colorado defenders at their annual conference.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Hails Department of Justice Filing in Indigent ‘Right to Counsel' Case Before Pennsylvania's Supreme Court -- Washington, DC (Sept. 17, 2015) – Late last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus curiae, or friend-of-the-court, brief in a putative class action suit currently before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania concerning the inadequate funding of the Luzerne County public defender's office.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Issues Major Report; Calls for Greater Independence for Federal Indigent Defense System -- Washington, DC (Sept. 9, 2015) – After over 18 months of study, more than 130 individuals interviewed (including federal judges, federal defenders, Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorneys, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) personnel, and others, representing 49 states and all federal judicial circuits), hundreds of documents reviewed, and surveys conducted, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today officially releases...

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Department of Justice Stand against the Criminalization of Homelessness – Washington, DC (Aug. 6, 2015) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a landmark statement of interest today in Idaho federal court arguing that when there is insufficient shelter space in a city, making it a crime for the homeless to sleep in public spaces is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment. The case, Bell v. City of Boise, et al., was brought by homeless individuals who were convicted under Boise city ordinances criminalizing sleeping or camping in public.

2015-16 Officers and Newly Elected Members of the Board of Directors Sworn in at Annual Meeting--Washington, DC (July 28, 2015) – NACDL installed newly-elected officers and directors at its Annual Board and Membership Meeting in Denver, CO, on July 26.

Austin, Tex. Lawyer E.G. "Gerry" Morris Sworn in as 2015-16 President of National Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers -- Denver, CO (July 27, 2015) – E.G. "Gerry" Morris of Austin, Tex., was sworn in as President of the National Association of Criminaal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's 58th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., on July 26. Morris has served on NACDL's Board of Directors since 2001. 

Washington, DC Attorney Barry J. Pollack Installed as President-Elect of National Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers -- Denver, CO (July 27, 2015) – Barry J. Pollack of Washington, DC, was sworn in as President-Elect of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's 58th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., on July 26. Mr. Pollack previously served NACDL as its First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Parliamentarian, and on its Board of Directors.

Pennsylvania Attorney Peter Goldberger to Receive Prestigious 2015 Heeney Award from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Denver, CO (July 24, 2015) – Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer Peter Goldberger has been selected as this year's recipient of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award. He will receive the award tonight at the Foundation for Criminal Justice 2015 Awards Dinner in Denver, CO.

Marissa McCall Dodson Awarded Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Awardby National's Criminal Defense Bar -- Denver, CO (July 24, 2015) — Marissa McCall Dodson, Policy Director and Attorney at the Georgia Justice Project (GJP), was honored today with the National Association of Criminal Justice Lawyers' (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL's 14th Annual State Criminal Justice Network conference in Denver, Colorado. 

With Significant Amicus Support, Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Continues Push for Public Disclosure of the Department of Justice Discovery Blue Book --Washington, DC (July 23, 2015) – Last week, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) brought its years-long effort to secure the public release of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Criminal Discovery Blue Book to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, filing its opening brief on July 15, 2015.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Continues Push for Public Disclosure of the Department of Justice Discovery Blue Book--Washington, DC (July 15, 2015) – Today, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) brought its years-long effort to secure the public release of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Criminal Discovery Blue Book to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, filing its opening brief this afternoon.

Clemency Project 2014 Applauds Commutation of 46 Federal Prison Sentences --Washington, D.C. (July 13, 2015) -- President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 46 prisoners today, 4 of whom were early applicants who had their petitions reviewed and supported by Clemency Project 2014.

USA Freedom Act the Opening Salvo in Larger Bid to Reign in Surveillance State -- Washington, DC (June 3, 2015) – After failing to enact legislation prior to the May 31 sunset of various surveillance provisions of the USA Patriot Act, last night the U.S. Senate passed the USA Freedom Act and the President signed it into law. 

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar: Sunset of Patriot Act Surveillance Provisions a Start, but ‘Not Nearly Enough’ -- Washington, DC (June 1, 2015) – Last night, the U.S. Senate allowed the bulk phone data collection, ‘roving wiretap,’ and ‘lone wolf’ provisions of the USA Patriot Act to sunset, though their expiration has been reported to be only temporary as the Senate scrambles to work out some sort of compromise on these surveillance issues.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Nebraska’s Courageous Legislature on its Successful Repeal of the Death Penalty -- Washington, DC (May 27, 2015) -- Last week, the Nebraska legislature overwhelmingly passed legislation to repeal the death penalty in that state in favor of life without parole. While there are 10 people on Nebraska’s death row, no one has been executed since 1997.

Nebraska at the Vanguard of the Movement to Abolish the Death Penalty -- Washington, DC (May 26, 2015) – Last week, the Nebraska legislature overwhelmingly passed legislation to repeal the death penalty in that state in favor of life without parole. While there are 10 people on Nebraska’s death row, no one has been executed since 1997. The vote to repeal was 32 to 15 in Nebraska’s 49-seat unicameral legislature, a veto-proof majority. Nonetheless, both prior to and subsequent to the vote, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts promised to veto the legislation. Today, he made good on that promise. 

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar: USA Freedom Act Falls "Far Short" of Necessary Reforms --Washington, DC (May 13, 2015) -- Late this afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the USA Freedom Act, with the support of the White House. The measure now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

San Francisco, CA Lawyer Martin A. Sabelli Elected to NACDL Board -- Washington, DC­ (May 1, 2015) – San Francisco, California-based lawyer Martin A. Sabelli was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Spring meeting in Law Vegas on April 19. Sabelli is a Life Member of NACDL and has previously served on its Board of Directors.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Calls for an End to Current Mass Postal Surveillance Practices: Report -- Washington, DC (April 21, 2015) – On April 19, 2015, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) adopted an important new report, Mail Cover Surveillance: Problems and Recommendations, that evaluates the current state of mass United States Postal Service surveillance and information sharing and makes important recommendations for reform.

FBI Testimony on Microscopic Hair Analysis Contained Errors in at least 90% of Cases in Ongoing Review: 26 of 28 FBI Analysts Provided Testimony or Reports with Errors -- (Washington, DC – April 20, 2015) The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Innocence Project and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) reported today that the FBI has concluded that the examiners' testimony in at least 90 percent of trial transcripts the Bureau analyzed as part of its Microscopic Hair Comparison Analysis...

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar: Mass DEA Surveillance Program Exposes Moral Bankruptcy of the 'War on Drugs' -- Washington, DC (April 8, 2015) – Today, USA Today reported that for more than 20 years, from 1992 to 2013, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was harvesting and secretly storing records of billions of Americans' international phone calls "in a program that provided a blueprint for the far broader National Security Agency surveillance that followed."

Clemency Project 2014 Applauds Obama Administration's Clemency Grants; Hopes Raised Across the Nation for More Routine Exercise of Executive Clemency Power -- Washington, DC (March 31, 2015) – Today's 22 clemency grants, including in cases in which clemency was supported by volunteer lawyers through Clemency Project 2014, indicates that the Obama Administration is beginning to deliver on its promise of a significantly increased exercise of its executive clemency power. 

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Urges Utah Governor to Veto Death by Firing Squad Legislation -- Washington, DC (March 20, 2015) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is strongly urging Utah Governor Gary Herbert to veto House Bill 11 that would amend Utah's death penalty statute to reinstate executions by firing squad. Utah had abolished execution by firing squad in 2004. Only one state in the nation – Oklahoma -- has a law that would permit execution by this method. No other developed nation permits execution by firing squad.

Esteemed defense attorney Hank Asbill receives White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL, Stetson Law -- Washington, DC (March 17, 2015) -- On Saturday, March 14, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Stetson Law presented Hank Asbill with the 2015 White Collar Criminal Defense Award. Asbill received his award during NACDL's White Collar Criminal Defense College at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla.

New Guidelines Set Forth Standard in Representing Children Facing Life Sentences -- Washington, DC­ (March 11, 2015) -- The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth today released the first-ever guidelines for representing children who face our country's harshest penalty.

NACDL Joins Lawsuit to Stop Mass Government Surveillance -- Washington, DC­ (March 10, 2015) – This morning the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) joined a major new lawsuit challenging the National Security Agency's mass interception and searching of Americans' international Internet communications, including emails, web-browsing content, and search-engine queries. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Tampa, FL Lawyer Jo Ann Palchak Elected to NACDL Board -- Washington, DC­ (February 26, 2015) – Tampa, FL, attorney Jo Ann Palchak was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Midwinter meeting in New Orleans earlier this month. Palchak is a Life Member of NACDL and has been very active in the Women’s Initiative of the NACDL, most recently presenting at the Association's Spring meeting in Las Vegas in 2013.

Rock Hill, S.C., Attorney Christopher Wellborn Elected Treasurer -- Washington, DC­ (February 25, 2015) – Rock Hill, S.C., attorney Christopher Wellborn was installed as treasurer of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Midwinter meeting in New Orleans earlier this month.

Supreme Court Rules Against Prosecuting Fisherman Under Post-Enron Anti-Shredding Law; Plurality and Dissent Find Overcriminalization -- Washington, DC (February 25, 2015) – This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Yates v. United States. This case highlights the problem of overcriminalization and specifically the dangerous consequences stemming from prosecutorial expansion of the laws passed by Congress.

White Collar Criminal Defense Award from NACDL and Stetson Law to be presented to attorney Hank Asbill -- Washington, D.C. (Feb. 23, 2015) — Hank Asbill, an acclaimed white collar defense attorney based in the Washington, D.C., office of Jones Day, will be presented the 2015 White Collar Criminal Defense Award on March 14 at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida.

First Guantánamo Conviction Vacated; Further Evidence Military Commissions are a Failure of Justice -- Washington, DC (February 19, 2015) – On Wednesday, a military appeals court overruled the conviction of David Hicks, the first person to be convicted of a war crime by a military commission at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. In 2007, Mr. Hicks, an Australian, pleaded guilty to a single charge of providing material support to a terrorist organization. Mr. Hicks's conviction was overturned because the offense he was charged with was not considered a war crime at the time.

DOJ Submits Landmark Filing on Unconstitutional Bail Practices and the Indigent; Central to Legacy of Attorney General Eric Holder’s Tenure -- Washington, DC (February 13, 2015) – A short time ago today, the Department of Justice filed a landmark Statement of Interest on behalf of the United States in Varden v. City of Clanton pending in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Alabama.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Praises Pennsylvania Moratorium on the Death Penalty -- Washington, DC (February 13, 2015) – Earlier today, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf suspended the death penalty in Pennsylvania. While it is reported that Pennsylvania has not executed any prisoners since 1999, the state does have approximately 186 people currently on death row. 

Detention of Public Defender "Unconscionable;" Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Stands With San Francisco Public Defenders -- Washington, DC (January 29, 2015) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) supports San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Jami Tillotson, the entire San Francisco Public Defender Office headed by Jeff Adachi, and public defenders everywhere who under the most challenging of circumstances each day work to zealously represent their clients.

NACDL Past President and Foundation for Criminal Justice Secretary Bruce M. Lyons to Receive Prestigious Harry Gulkin Award -- Washington, DC (January 29, 2015) – National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Past President Bruce M. Lyons will receive the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' (BACDL) Harry Gulkin Award on February 5, 2015. Lyons has been a member of BACDL since its founding.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Bicameral Introduction of Forfeiture Reform Legislation in Congress -- Washington, DC (January 27, 2015) – This morning, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced  the "Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act of 2015" in both the House and the Senate, respectively.

Clemency Project 2014: A Historically Unprecedented and Wholly Independent Volunteer Effort By the Nation's Bar -- Washington, DC (January 16, 2015) – An army of volunteer lawyers are diligently working on behalf of thousands of prisoners who have requested free legal assistance in drafting and submitting clemency petitions. This unprecedented, wholly independent effort by the bar, facilitated by the organizations which make up Clemency Project 2014, seeks to achieve justice for those prisoners.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Adoption of House Rule Providing for Judiciary Committee Review of All Criminalization Legislation -- Washington, DC (January 6, 2015) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a rules change that will afford the House Judiciary Committee the opportunity to exercise its jurisdiction over any bill that proposes or modifies a new or existing criminal law or penalty.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Calls Upon Republican House Conference To Adopt Rule Providing for Judiciary Committee Review of All Criminalization Legislation -- Washington, DC (January 5, 2015) – Today, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) was joined by several signatories from across this political spectrum in urging the House Republican Conference to adopt a rules change that would afford the House Judiciary Committee the opportunity to exercise its jurisdiction over any bill that proposes or modifies a new or existing criminal law or penalty.