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.
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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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When the accused faces loss of family and property, as well as liberty Miriam Gohara
Almost any drug offense - including marijuana possession - can lead to deportation. A drug offense can prevent an undocumented immigrant from getting status or result in deportation for a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for decades. This webinar will help defense counsel meet their duty under Padilla by providing an overview of the immigration consequences of drug offenses and offer strategies to avoid or minimize those consequences.
The U.S. Supreme Court held in Padilla v. Kentucky that criminal defense attorneys have a Sixth Amendment duty to advise clients about immigration consequences of their criminal cases, and that failure to do so is ineffective assistance of counsel. With record numbers of immigrants being deported for relatively minor criminal offenses, it is imperative that anyone representing noncitizens understand basic concepts regarding the interplay between immigration and criminal law and be aware of emerging issues.
Domestic violence and related offenses including child abuse, neglect, and abandonment and violation of a protective order can carry immigration consequences for both undocumented persons and persons with lawful immigration status. This webinar covers the immigration consequences that domestic violence and related offenses have upon different immigrants and discuss how to avoid or minimize such consequences. The webinar also covers a related topic—the immigration consequences of violent offenses, including in non-DV cases.
In Padilla v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court held that defense lawyers must affirmatively and correctly advise their clients about the immigration consequences of entering a plea and failure to do so constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel. NACDL, in collaboration with the Defending Immigrants Partnership, presents a training to discuss defense counsel’s duty under Padilla and related issues. Expert faculty analyze the Padilla decision, outline the steps defense counsel must take to provide effective assistance of counsel to their non-citizen clients, and provide essential instruction.
From Washington Defender Association’s Immigration Project
Written Statement of Rick Jones, Executive Director Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem On behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Before the House Committee on the Judiciary Over-Criminalization Task Force Re: “Collateral Consequences”
Testimony of Mathias H. Heck, Jr. on Behalf of the American Bar Association for the Hearing on Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions and the Problem af Over-Criminalization af Federal Law Before the Committee on the Judiciary Task Force on Over-Criminalization of the United States House of Representatives
For noncitizen defendants convicted of a deportable offense, the punitive and rehabilitative undertones of the American justice system play out differently than they do for U.S. citizens. Instead of rehabilitation, they are exposed to the most punitive undertones of the penal code, even for many nonviolent offenses. Defendants may face life-changing consequences, such as being torn away from the lives they established in the United States. Counsel must take these special considerations into account when representing noncitizen clients.
Links to significant reports and research on sex offense laws, sex offender registries and notification laws, and reforms
This panel features individuals formerly incarcerated whose second chance led them to pursuing a career in law.
Shattering the Shackles of Collateral Consequences: Exploring Moral Principles and Economic Innovations to Restore Rights and Opportunity NACDL’s 17th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference and 2nd Annual Presidential Summit | August 23-25, 2018 | Atlanta, GA
This panel focuses on developing relationships with state power players and seeking unlikely and likely allies in building coalitions for lasting and meaningful reforms.
This panel explores the moral principles and economic innovations that are essential in alleviating collateral consequences of an arrest or conviction. The panel also examines racial implications associated with collateral consequences. Key Issues: ban the box, certificates of relief, tax incentives, licensing.
Presentation of award to the Second Chance Center: Angelyn C. Frazer-Giles, Senior Advisor for Special Projects, NACDL and Michael Iacopino, Co-Chair, State Legislative Affairs Committee, Criminal Defense Attorney, Brennan Lenehan Iacopino & Hickey Remarks: Hassan Latif, Executive Director, Second Chance Center (Aurora, CO)
Presentation of award: Norman L. Reimer, Executive Director, NACDL Keynote Address delivered by Sally Q. Yates, Partner, Special Matters and Government Investigations, King & Spalding, Former U.S. Deputy Attorney General
