NACDL Calls on Members to Protect People Accused of Crimes and their Communities from COVID, and Join Fight to Oppose the Trial Penalty –​ Washington, DC (Dec. 23, 2021) – Two days ago, the Commissioner of New York’s Department of Corrections issued an unprecedented statement regarding the COVID crisis for individuals housed in Rikers Island. 

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Commends Biden Administration’s Decision to Reconsider Returning Individuals to Prison after COVID-19 Pandemic – Washington, DC (Dec. 21, 2021) – NACDL recognizes the Department of Justice’s decision to reconsider returning individuals on CARES Act home confinement to prison. The CARES Act has allowed thousands of incarcerated individuals to serve their sentences safely at home and has demonstrated the effectiveness of home confinement as an alternative to prison.

Heritage Foundation and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: More Progress Needed to Safeguard the Intent Requirement in Federal Criminal Law -- Washington, DC (Dec. 13, 2021) -- The Heritage Foundation and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today released Without Intent Revisited: Assessing the Intent Requirement in Federal Criminal Law 10 Years Later. The report is co-authored by Zack Smith, Heritage legal fellow, and Nathan Pysno, director of economic crime and procedural justice at NACDL.

Rittenhouse Verdict Highlights Need to Revive Trials to Ensure Justice for All American and Redress Racial Injustice in the Criminal Legal System – Washington, DC (Nov. 21, 2021) – "Americans are deeply divided over the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse. All Americans, however, should celebrate the constitutional right to a public and speedy trial by a jury of our peers. Unfortunately, coercive plea bargaining has virtually eliminated trials from the legal landscape and, as a result, we have suffered decades of mass incarceration of Black and Brown communities and the poor. Every American...

NACDL Media Advisory -- Abortion in America: How Legislative Overreach Is Turning Reproductive Rights into Criminal Wrongs -- NACDL is pleased to invite you to a 90-minute webinar, Abortion in America: How Legislative Overreach Is Turning Reproductive Rights into Criminal Wrongs. This webinar will discuss NACDL’s recent report on the criminalization of abortion, the day before SCOTUS hears oral argument in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case that may determine the future of Roe v. Wade. It will explore the impact overturning Roe would have on state laws...

From the Courtroom to the Streets: Renowned Trial Lawyer, Reform Advocate, and Teacher Lisa Monet Wayne Named Executive Director of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Oct. 25, 2021) – On Saturday, October 23, 2021, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) voted to appoint NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) President and NACDL Past President Lisa Monet Wayne to serve as NACDL’s and the NFCJ’s next Executive Director. Effective Monday, November 1, 2021, Wayne succeeds Norman L. Reimer, who served in 

Knoxville, TN, Attorney Stephen Ross Johnson Sworn in as Treasurer of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar --  Washington, DC (Oct. 15, 2021) – Stephen Ross Johnson was sworn in as Treasurer of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's board meeting held on October 9, 2021, in Washington, DC.

The International Legal Foundation and the Legal Aid Society of Puerto Rico’s Juvenile Justice Program Receive Champion of Public Defense Awards from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Oct. 12, 2021) — At the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) 2021 Gala, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented the International Legal Foundation with the 2021 Champion of Public Defense Award and the Legal Aid Society of Puerto Rico’s Juvenile Justice Program with the 2020 Champion of Public Defense Award.

Lava Records CEO Jason Flom Receives Champion of Justice Philanthropy Award from the Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- ​Washington, DC (Oct. 7, 2021) —  On October 7, 2021, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented Lava Records CEO Jason Flom with the 2021 Champion of Justice Philanthropy Award at the 2021 NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) Gala.

Nation's Criminal Defense Bar Presents Carrie Johnson with its Champion of Justice Journalism Award -- Washington, DC (Oct. 12, 2021) – On Thursday, October 7, 2021, at the 20^th Anniversary Gala of the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented NPR National Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson with its Champion of Justice Journalism Award.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Presents Champion of Justice Legal Award to President and CEO of The Taifa Group LLC Nkechi Taifa -- Washington, DC (Oct. 12, 2021) – Nkechi Taifa was awarded the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Champion of Justice Legal Award on October 7 during the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) 20^th Anniversary Gala. Champion of Justice Awards are bestowed upon those individuals who—through legislative, journalistic, philanthropic, or humanitarian pursuits—have staunchly preserved or defended the constitutional rights of American

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Former Executive Director Norman L. Reimer -- Washington, DC (Oct. 12, 2021) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) awarded NACDL Former Executive Director Norman L. Reimer its Lifetime Achievement Award on October 7, 2021, during the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ) 20^th Anniversary Gala. NACDL’s Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented in recognition of exceptional accomplishments over a lifetime of distinguished leadership and service on behalf of the law.

NACDLPress Publishes Just in the Nick of Time, by Denver, Colorado Defense Attorney David B. Savitz -- Washington, DC (Sept. 28, 2021) - Today, NACDL’s publishing unit, NACDLPress, released Just in the Nick of Time, a timely story about the intersection of mental health and the law by Denver, CO attorney David B. Savitz. This book tells the story of 19-year-old Ross Carlson, who is accused of killing his parents and is diagnosed with an unusual psychiatric disorder. Ross spends a torturous six years in the Colorado judicial and mental health systems before his case experiences an unexpected

NACDL Releases Major Task Force Report on Data-Driven Policing, Racism, and Bias in the Criminal Legal System -- Washington, DC (Sept. 14, 2021) –  The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) released its latest report – Garbage In, Gospel Out: How Data-Driven Policing Technologies Entrench Historic Racism and ‘Tech-wash’ Bias in the Criminal Legal System. This report is based on interviews that NACDL's Predictive Policing Task Force conducted around the country and was guided by the Task Force Recommendations that the NACDL Board of Directors formally adopted in fall 2020.

NACDL Media Advisory -- Predictive Policing Task Force Report Launch -- NACDL is pleased to invite you to join NACDL's Fourth Amendment Center for the launch of its upcoming report, Garbage In, Gospel Out: How Data Driven Policing Technologies Entrench Historic Racism and ‘Tech-wash’ Bias in the Criminal Legal System. The report, to be released the morning of this event, is based on interviews that NACDL's Predictive Policing Task Force conducted around the country over the past two years.

FAMM, NACDL and Washington Lawyers’ Committee Launch CARES Act Home Confinement Clearinghouse -- Washington, DC (Aug. 19, 2021) – FAMM, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) launched the “CARES Act Home Confinement Clearinghouse” today in an effort to prevent up to 4,000 people on CARES Act home confinement from returning to prison.

Illinois State Senator Robert J. Peters, Illinois State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., and Illinois State Representative Justin Slaughter Receive the 2021 Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Aug. 19, 2021) – Today, Illinois State Senator Robert J. Peters, Illinois State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., and Illinois State Representative Justin Slaughter were presented with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL's 20th Annual State Criminal Justice Network

NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project Welcomes Handful of Clemency Grants and Expresses Disappointment in Four Years of Missed Opportunities by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo -- Washington, DC (Aug. 18, 2021) – Yesterday evening, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo granted clemency to ten individuals. Five of the grantees had their sentences commuted, and five were pardoned. One of the recipients of a commutation was Nehru Gumbs, whose petition was supported by the NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project.

New Report from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Highlights the Threat of Abortion Criminalization -- Washington, DC (Aug. 18, 2021) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) released a ground-breaking report today outlining current legal statutes that criminalize abortion and the impact overturning Roe v. Wade would have on laws to prosecute and incarcerate those providing, receiving, or assisting with abortions.

NACDL Presents Champion of Justice Legal Award to the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender -- Washington, DC (July 27, 2021) - At its annual meeting on July 24, 2021, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented its Champion of Justice Legal Award to the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender for its pioneering commitment to training. The award was presented to Colorado State Public Defender Megan Ring and Training Director Jennifer Ahnstedt, who accepted the award on behalf of the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender.

Washington, DC, Attorney Barry J. Pollack Receives Prestigious 2021 Heeney Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (July 27, 2021) – Attorney Barry J. Pollack received the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s annual meeting held on July 24. The prestigious Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award is given annually to the one criminal defense attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of the Association and the legal profession.

San Francisco, CA, Lawyer Martín Antonio Sabelli Sworn In as President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar — Washington, DC (July 26, 2021) — Martín Antonio Sabelli was sworn in as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's annual meeting held on July 24. The Honorable Thelton E. Henderson (Ret.) administered the oath of office.

2021-22 Officers and Newly-Elected and Re-Elected Members of the NACDL Board of Directors Sworn in at Annual Meeting -- Washington, DC (July 26, 2021) - NACDL installed newly-elected officers and directors at its Annual Board and Membership Meeting on July 24.

Biden Administration Poised to Return Thousands to Federal Prison Following COVID-era Home Confinement -- NACDL Calls on President Biden to Commute the Sentences of People Living in CARES Act Home Confinement -- Washington, DC (July 20, 2021) – More than 500,000 incarcerated individuals in federal, state, and local jails and prisons in the United States have been infected with COVID-19. During the crisis, Congress passed the CARES Act, expanding the availability of home confinement as an alternative to serving out one’s sentence in federal prison.

NACDL Appoints Long-Serving Associate Executive Director for Policy Kyle O’Dowd as Interim Executive Director -- Washington, DC (July 6, 2021) -- On February 15, 2020, at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Midwinter Meeting in San Diego, CA, NACDL Executive Director Norman L. Reimer announced to NACDL’s Board of Directors, members, and staff that he would be stepping down in 2021 from his role as Executive Director of NACDL and the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ), after serving 15 years in those positions.

New NACDL Report Shines Light on the “S” Visa Program -- Washington, DC (June 29, 2021) -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) today released an important new report – Shining a Light on the “S” Visa: A Long History of Unfulfilled Promises and Bureaucratic Red Tape – highlighting the failure of government to properly administer the S Visa Program, a program critical to the nation’s national security, particularly as it faces unprecedented threats to its infrastructure and operations from foreign hackers. 
 

NACDL Statement on Juneteenth National Independence Day -- Washington, DC (June 19, 2021) – Today, the nation marks Juneteenth National Independence Day. The statement below is from NACDL President Christopher W. Adams: “NACDL, which had already recognized Juneteenth as an important holiday, commends the political branches for establishing a national holiday to commemorate the end of slavery. But a century and half of systemic racism in the criminal legal system since Emancipation reminds us that there is a wide gulf between freedom and equality...

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Receives 2021 Alfred McKenzie Award for Compassionate Release Clearinghouse -- Washington, DC (June 16, 2021) – Today, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) was awarded the Alfred McKenzie Award during the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs’ 2021 Wiley A. Branton Awards, which celebrates organizations working to dismantle injustice and pursue lasting change. NACDL received the award for its ongoing work supporting the Compassionate Release Clearinghouse. 

National and Georgia Criminal Defense Bars Condemn Georgia’s So-Called Election Integrity Act -- Groups Call Out Brazen Use of Overcriminalization to Undermine Exercise of the Fundamental Constitutional Right to Vote, Strongly Urging Repeal. -- Washington, DC (June 14, 2021) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL) released a joint statement condemning the Georgia Election Integrity Act of 2021 for criminalizing ordinary, mundane, and harmless activity.

Norman L. Reimer Stepping Down as Executive Director of NACDL and the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice -- Reimer to be Honored at NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice Gala in Washington, DC, on Thursday, October 7, 2021. -- Washington, DC (June 7, 2021) – On February 15, 2020, at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Midwinter Meeting in San Diego, CA, NACDL Executive Director Norman L. Reimer announced to NACDL’s Board of Directors, members, and staff that he would be stepping down in 2021...

NACDL Statement on the Anniversary of the Death of George Floyd -- Washington, DC (May 25, 2021) – Today, the nation marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. The statement below is from NACDL President Christopher W. Adams:

New Jersey’s and Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Statement on Gov. Murphy’s Veto of Legislation Repealing Mandatory Minimums for Certain Offenses – Washington, DC (April 20, 2021) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) President Christopher W. Adams and the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ) President Aidan P. O’Connor released the following statement after Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed bill S3456 to repeal mandatory minimums for certain crimes.

New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Publish Groundbreaking Report on Trial Penalty in New York — Washington, DC (March 26, 2021) — Today, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) released the first-ever report on the decades-long impact of the trial penalty in New York State—The New York State Trial Penalty: The Constitutional Right to Trial Under Attack...

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Applauds Abolition of the Death Penalty in Virginia -- Washington, DC (March 24, 2021) – Today, the Commonwealth of Virginia became the 23rd state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to abolish or overturn the death penalty. Governor Northam issued a call to abolish the death penalty early this year and has made history by signing the legislation. 

Last Prisoner Project and Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Establish Cannabis Justice Initiative — Washington, DC (March 23, 2021) — The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the Last Prisoner Project (LPP) today announced the establishment of the Cannabis Justice Initiative, a new initiative focused on bringing much-needed relief to individuals whose lives continue to be negatively impacted by cannabis criminalization.

NACDL Statement of Support for Myanmar Attorneys and the Rule of Law -- Washington, DC (March 16, 2021) – Attorneys in Myanmar are reported to be under attack. Yesterday, the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) Human Rights Committee issued a statement supporting the lawyers and legal system in Myanmar.

New Jersey’s and Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Call on Gov. Murphy to Sign S3456, Repealing Mandatory Minimums for Certain Offenses -- Washington, DC (March 11, 2021) – National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) President Christopher W. Adams and the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ) President Linda D. Foster released the following statement on NJ bill (S3456) to repeal mandatory minimums for certain crimes, which is currently awaiting Governor Murphy’s signature.

NACDL’s Corrections Committee Launches Online Resource Tracking the State of Prison and Jail Communications Systems -- Committee also releases manual on navigating the federal prison system. --Washington, DC (March 8, 2021) – Today, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Corrections Committee released an important new online resource, “The State of Prison & Jail Communication Systems,” as well as a separate manual, “How to Navigate the Federal Prison System.”

White House Commutes Sentences of Individuals Punished for Exercising Their Sixth Amendment Right to Trial – Washington, DC (Jan. 20, 2021) – In the early morning hours today, President Trump granted commutations to 14 deserving individuals whose petitions were submitted to the Office of the Pardon Attorney and the White House through the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ (NACDL) Trial Penalty Clemency Project. Of those 14, seven were serving life sentences.