Renewed War on Drugs, harsher charging policies, stepped-up criminalization of immigrants — in the current climate, joining the NACDL is more important than ever. Members of NACDL help to support the only national organization working at all levels of government to ensure that the voice of the defense bar is heard.
Take a stand for a fair, rational, and humane criminal legal system
Contact members of congress, sign petitions, and more
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Help shape the future of the association
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Increase brand exposure while building trust and credibility
NACDL is committed to enhancing the capacity of the criminal defense bar to safeguard fundamental constitutional rights.
NACDL harnesses the unique perspectives of NACDL members to advocate for policy and practice improvements in the criminal legal system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal legal system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal legal system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.
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NACDL's bylaws are the foundational governing documents of the association.
On March 1, 2025, at its 2025 midwinter Meeting, the NACDL membership vited to adopt the following amendment to the NACDL's bylaws. The amendments were proposed by the Board of Directors at its July 27, 2024 meeting in Seattle, WA. The amendments change articles IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII.
On February 15, 2020, at its 2020 Midwinter Meeting, the NACDL membership voted to adopt the following amendments to NACDL's bylaws. The amendments were proposed by the Board of Directors at its August 3, 2019 meeting in Philadelphia. The amendments change articles V, VI, VII, VIII, and XI.
On August 5, 2023, at its 2023 Annual Meeting, the NACDL membership voted to adopt the following amendments to NACDL's bylaws. The amendments were proposed by the Board of Directors at its March 4, 2023 meeting in New Orleans. The amendments change articles II, III, V, and VII.
This is an outdated version of NACDL’s bylaws, and is available strictly for archival purposes. The version of the bylaws below took effect in August 2023. Please consult NACDL’s current bylaws or governance documents for any current governance-related questions.
On October 27, 2012, at a regularly scheduled meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Board of Directors voted to submit this proposed change to the membership. The amendment would change the definition of New Members in Article IV, Section V.
NACDL adopted bylaws amendments principally concerning the Nominating and Budget Committees on February 18, 2011.
NACDL amended provisions of its bylaws principally concerning the roles of officers and directors; the amendments were adopted in August 2011.
The following amendments to the bylaws were submitted by the Board of Directors to the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting in Memphis, Tennessee on May 1, 2010, and adopted by the Membership on August 14, 2010, in Toronto, Ontario.
Past amendments to the bylaws are made available online, with accompanying action reports from the Bylaws Committee. The amendments to the bylaws on this page were referred by the board of directors to the membership, and subsequently adopted by the membership.
Earlier versions of NACDL's bylaws are available online. The versions of the bylaws below are available with the dates during which they took effect and were further amended. Please consult NACDL's current bylaws or governance documents for current information on NACDL governance.
On February 16, 2019, the Board of Directors voted to submit these proposed amendments to articles III, V, and VII of NACDL's bylaws to the membership for ratification. The membership voted to adopt these proposed amendments on August 3, 2019, at its 2019 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
On October 27, 2018, the Board of Directors voted to submit these proposed amendments to articles II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and XI of NACDL's bylaws to the membership for ratification. The membership voted to adopt these proposed amendments on February 16, 2019, at its 2019 Midwinter Meeting in Phoenix.
