Your membership helps NACDL advocate for criminal justice reform, and remain the preeminent organization in the United States advancing the mission of the nation’s criminal defense lawyers to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crimes or other misconduct. 

Special Offers:

Full-time Public Defenders join for just $99!

Use Special Offer Code DT99 to get this great offer!

20%-Off for Court Appointed Attorneys

Use Promo Code cv20 to get this great offer!

Offer expires March 31, 2023. New & rejoining members only.

As a member of NACDL, you are part of a network of criminal justice lawyers and advocates who value fairness, reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal justice system, and redressing systemic racism.  

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Renewing Member
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Membership unlocks access to member-only benefits, exclusive content, discounts, and more.

Here are some of the reasons NACDL members are among America's most knowledgeable, best-connected criminal defense lawyers:

• Connect, learn & strategize with other members on our discussion groups at NACDLConnect! Search past communications as well as participate in current discussions.
• Get every issue of The Champion - read it on paper, online, or on your phone! Members can search archived issues online. What a great resource! 
• Your membership pays for itself with discounts from our NACDL Affinity partners. 
• Updated and Reorganized NACDL Resource Center featuring case-based tools, forensics resources, an expert database, and postconviction materials.
• Support the profession through NACDL's advocacy work in the legislatures and in the courts. 
• The Daily Criminal Justice Briefing is is a digest of criminal justice articles from journals and media outlets, in your email inbox every day. 
• Discounts on NACDL's top-notch, defense-only, CLE events.
• Discounts on NACDL educational products, including resource manuals and trial guides that cover a wide variety of topics and specialty areas.
• If you are threatened in any way for providing legal representation to a client - if you're subpoenaed, cited for contempt, hit with a bar grievance or a motion to disqualify you from a case the NACDL Strike Force will review your case, at no cost.
• NACDL has partnered with Association Health Programs (AHP) to offer NACDL members a variety of health insurance programs.
• Build your network of contacts, sharpen your leadership skills, and maximize your membership investment by joining an NACDL Committee, Task Force, or discussion group.
• Receive llitigation assistance in cases raising new Fourth Amendment concerns through NACDL's Fourth Amendment Center. 
• Share your knowledge and practical tips by writing an article for The Champion.
• Support NACDL as it leads the way through its Amicus Curiae program.

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Please Note:  Annual Dues may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense for federal income tax purposes. NACDL estimates that 1.6% of your total membership dues are allocable to lobbying activities of the Association and therefore not deductible for income tax purposes as ordinary and necessary business expense. $90 of annual dues applies to a one-year subscription to The Champion. Contributions to the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice are fully tax-deductible.