Some of the trials lasted no more than five minutes. None of the Santee Dakota Indians – most who had no command of the English language – had interpreters, counsel, or the ability to call witnesses in their defense.

Christopher A. Wellborn is the 66th President of NACDL. The President guides the Association for a one-year term.

We are in the era of electronic discovery and ever-increasing information dumps. Defense lawyers are being provided with responses to discovery requests that contain terabytes of information. How do we advise a client concerning the strength or weakness of the government’s case if we must first examine and organize a terabyte of information?

Criminal defense lawyers stand as a bulwark against the forces that would seek to erase the rights and humanity of people accused of committing a crime. Standing as a fortress takes incredible courage, but the fearlessness of defense advocates is nothing new. History is filled with examples of defenders who risked their careers, reputations, and personal safety to stand up for their clients.

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.

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.

South Carolina Attorney Christopher A. Wellborn Receives Prestigious 2019 Heeney Award from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (August 6, 2019) – On Saturday, August 3, Attorney Christopher A. Wellborn of Rock Hill, SC, received the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.