The Champion®

NACDL's renowned journal, The Champion® magazine, offers timely, informative articles written for and by criminal defense lawyers, featuring the latest developments in search and seizure laws, DUI/DWI, grand jury proceedings, habeas, the exclusionary rule, death penalty, RICO, federal sentencing guidelines, forfeiture, white collar crime, and more. 

It is a highly valued NACDL member benefit, only available for NACDL members.

Current Issue

May 2025 Cover May 2025

What are the three goals of voir dire? How can a short juror questionnaire help defense counsel?

 

Articles in this Issue

 

  1. 11 Essential Marketing Checkpoints for Criminal Defense Law Firms

    Lawyers meticulously prepare their clients’ cases for their day in court. Likewise, lawyers should be just as conscientious in conducting an annual review of their law firms’ marketing strategies. By systematically auditing a firm’s website, social media, email campaigns, content, and compliance measures, defense attorneys can position their law firms for success.

    Jay Ruane

  2. Affiliate News

    What events are NACDL affiliates hosting this month? Find out here.

    Jessica Stepan

  3. Book Review: A Second Chance by Judge Fredric Block

    This month Lucian E. Dervan reviews A Second Chance: A Federal Judge Decides Who Deserves It by Judge Fredric Block.

    Lucian E. Dervan

  4. Book Review: Blood, Powder, and Residue by Beth A. Bechky

    This month Lisa J. Steele reviews Blood, Powder, and Residue: How Crime Labs Translate Evidence Into Proof by Beth A. Bechky.

    Lisa J. Steele

  5. Book Review: Why We Disagree About Inequality by John Iceland, Eric Silver, and Ilana Redstone

    This month Robert M. Sanger reviews Why We Disagree About Inequality: Social Justice vs. Social Order by John Iceland, Eric Silver, and Ilana Redstone.

    Robert M. Sanger

  6. Contemplating the Impact of the Bondi Memos on White Collar Defendants

    A few weeks after her confirmation, Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a series of memoranda framing a process and substance road map for issues on which her Justice Department will focus. What will be the significance of these memos for white collar clients?

    Joel D. Schwartz, Scott A. Scheele, Hilary Holt LoCicero, and Lloyd Liu

  7. DWI: Survey of European DUI Laws

    The crime of driving under the influence of an intoxicant is a global issue that transcends national boundaries. Consequently, it is pertinent for all in the American criminal justice system to compare the DUI-related laws in the United States with those in other countries.

    Steven Oberman

  8. From the President: Let’s Kill All the Lawyers

    I did not expect to live in a time when we would have to fight for and reinforce the Bill of Rights that was ratified 233 years ago. NACDL has taken a public position on numerous issues, including the threat to take away security clearances for lawyers engaged to defend potential criminal charges against former government officials and prosecutors, deportation and imprisonment abroad of noncitizens without due process, and the government’s assertion that it is no longer bound by orders of a court.

    Christopher A. Wellborn

  9. NACDL News: NACDL Condemns Passage of the Laken Riley Act

    NACDL News for May 2025

    Jessie Diamond and Jonathan Hutson

  10. NACDL News: NACDL Opposes Removal of Federal Police Misconduct Database

    NACDL News for May 2025

    Jessie Diamond and Jonathan Hutson

  11. NACDL News: Three Honored by NACDL at 2025 Midwinter Meeting

    NACDL News for May 2025

    Jessie Diamond and Jonathan Hutson

  12. Speaking with Jurors About the Unspeakable

    Jury Selection in Sexual Assault and Child Molestation Cases

    Cases involving charges of child molestation or abuse are difficult for even the most seasoned lawyer to defend. During voir dire, Denise de La Rue urges defense attorneys to (1) establish credibility and rapport, (2) introduce the theory and theme of the case, and (3) learn about the prospective jurors so defense counsel knows which ones to strike or challenge for cause. Her article includes a sample juror questionnaire.

    Denise de La Rue

  13. The Textualism Method of Statutory Construction

    Use Textualist Analysis to Show That a Client’s Conduct Is Not a Crime, Position Arguments for Appeal, and Maximize Chances for Supreme Court Review

    Textualism refers to interpreting a legal text by its ordinary meaning, putting aside considerations like legislative intent that do not appear in the text itself. Lawyers should understand which principles of statutory and constitutional interpretation are available to help show that a statute is unconstitutional. Regardless of one’s opinion of textualism or originalism, these concepts have often tipped the balance in favor of the accused.

    Jon May

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