See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Florida. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in Florida that NACDL is tracking.

NACDL and Florida Rights Restoration Coalition provide criminal defense attorneys interested in assisting individuals facing these charges with the necessary information, resources, and tools needed to provide an effective defense.

Marsy's Law, a victims’ rights constitutional amendment, would bestow upon crime victims a vast array of often vague, difficult and costly to administer rights, including extensive notification, involvement, privacy, and restitution provisions, and enshrine them in state constitutions. This amendment has far-reaching consequences for state criminal justice systems across the country. Hear from various stakeholders and learn how state advocates can help stave off this legislation.

NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference
August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually

In Part II of the discussion on Race and Collateral Consequences, we explore how the use of “moral character” clauses, like those used in state bar licensing, can prevent individuals with convictions from participating in the legal profession. We also discuss a range of restrictions to entrepreneurial ventures that people with criminal convictions face that range from limiting a person’s ability to access capital through loans to barring participation in the legal, regulated cannabis industry.

In celebration of Second Chance Month in April, NACDL hosts the first of two discussions on race and collateral consequences. Panelists discuss the long-term impacts of criminal convictions, the specific harm that collateral consequences have caused to communities of color, and what it will take to meaningfully change this system.

Brief of Amici Curiae Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Public Defender Association, Advancing Real Change, Inc., Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, Craig Trocino, Esq., Death Penalty Focus, Florida Justice Institute, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Ripley Whisenhunt, PLLC, Witness to Innocence, and the 8th Amendment Project

Florida’s Supreme Court invalidated the state’s pre-Roe bans on abortion in 1972 after determining that the laws violated both the federal and state constitutions. State v. Barquet, 262 So.2d 431 (Fla. 1972) (repealing Fla Stat. §§ 782.10, 797.01).

Public defense issues and developments in Florida

Nearly a half million people, or approximately three percent of Florida's adults, pass through the state's misdemeanor courts each year. Most are found guilty. The average court appearance lasts as little as three minutes. [Released July 2011]

NACDL is providing resources regarding the Criminalization of Pregnancy and Reproductive Health to the criminal defense community. Resources are provided without warranty or guarantee. Please consult the laws and rules of your state and local authorities. Please log in to access them. Membership is NOT required.

NACDL advocated for the passage of legislation to restrict the public dissemination of arrest booking photos.

NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in Florida. 

Policies and rulings on lengthy imprisonment terms in Florida.

Coalition letter to Florida Governor Rick Scott regarding a proposal to allow people to request that oublicly published media remove arrest booking photos to allow for easier access to employment and other opportunities (SB 118, 2017).

Brief of Amici CuriaeAmerican Civil Liberties Union, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.