NACDL and Indigenous Leaders Urge President Biden to Grant Clemency to Leonard Peltier – Washington, DC (December 16, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Indigenous leaders has sent President Joseph R. Biden a letter urging him to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Indigenous activist who has spent nearly five decades in federal prison.

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Praises Biden Clemency Announcement, Calls for Further Action – Washington, DC (December 12, 2024) – In his latest act of clemency, President Biden has pardoned 39 individuals and commuted the sentences of 1,500 people released on CARES Act home confinement. Among these individuals are clients of NACDL’s Return to Freedom Project. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) commends President Biden for what we are hopeful will not be the last exercise of his executive power.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Condemns Selective Prosecutions, Calls on Biden to Increase Use of Clemency Power – Washington, DC (December 2, 2024) – While President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, on federal tax and gun charges has sparked debate, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) remains steadfast in its commitment to combating overzealous, politicized, or selective prosecutions in all forms.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Joins with Defense Community Leaders to Call on Biden to Commute All Federal Death Sentences -- Washington, DC (November 22, 2024) -- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), along with several other leading criminal legal defense and human rights organizations, is urging President Biden to use his executive power to commute all federal death sentences, sparing some 40 lives by changing their sentences to life without parole. Such a move would adhere to a Biden campaign pledge to end the federal death penalty.

Seven Elected to Serve on the Board of Directors of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Nov. 13, 2024) – Seven individuals were elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s Fall Board Meeting in Nashville, TN. The Board Members below join those who are currently serving their terms on the NACDL Board of Directors.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Issues Statement on Election of Donald Trump as 47th President – Washington, D.C. (Nov. 7, 2024) – Christopher A. Wellborn, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) stated: “The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy, and millions of Americans exercised this fundamental right in choosing our nation’s next leader. While reactions to the election’s outcome may be sharply divided, as defense attorneys, we remain united by our mission to ensure the criminal legal system operates fairly for all accused."

Illinois Prison Project Receives the 2024 Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award From Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Aug. 15, 2024) – The Illinois Prison Project (IPP) was presented with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL's 23rd Annual State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) Conference. The award recognizes an individual or group whose tremendous efforts have led to progressive reform of a state criminal legal system.

New Report from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Outlines How Marsy's Law Undermines the Criminal Legal System – Washington, DC (August 13, 2024) – A new report from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) outlines the ways in which Marsy’s Law, the colloquial name for a model Victims’ Bill of Rights, undermines fundamental due process rights.

Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Presents Champion of Justice Legal Award to Pennsylvania Attorney Lisa A. Mathewson – Washington, DC (July 29, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented its Champion of Justice Legal Award to noted Pennsylvania attorney Lisa A. Mathewson at its Albert J. Krieger Annual Meeting in Seattle on July 27.

Rock Hill, SC  Lawyer Christopher A. Wellborn Installed as President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar –Washington, DC (Jul. 29, 2024) – Christopher A. Wellborn was sworn in as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association’s annual meeting in Seattle, WA on July 27.

Washington, DC Attorney Pat Cresta-Savage Receives Champion of Justice Award from Nation’s Defense Bar – Washington, DC (July 29, 2024) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented criminal defense lawyer Pat Cresta-Savage with the Champion of Justice Legal Award at the Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle.

New Hampshire Attorney Michael J. Iacopino Receives Prestigious 2024 Heeney Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (July 29, 2024) – Noted attorney Michael J. Iacopino of Manchester, NH, received the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) on July 27, at the Association’s Albert J. Krieger Annual Meeting in Seattle. The Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award is given annually to the criminal defense attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of the Association and the legal profession.

Chicago, IL Attorney Todd S. Pugh Sworn In as Secretary of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (July 29, 2024) – Todd S. Pugh was sworn in to serve as Secretary of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

Knoxville, TN Attorney Stephen Ross Johnson Sworn In as Second Vice-President of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (Jul. 29, 2024) – Stephen Ross Johnson was sworn in as Second Vice-President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's annual meeting held on July 27 in Seattle, WA.

Miami, FL Attorney Ramon de la Cabada Sworn in as Treasurer of Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar – Washington, DC (July 29, 2024) – Ramon de la Cabada was sworn in to serve as Treasurer of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Annual Meeting in Seattle.