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
Help us continue our fight by donating to NFCJ
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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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This training program will aid those working to defend persons accused of homicide in drug-related overdose deaths. Each section of the program focuses on a different aspect of these cases. CLE is not available for this program.
To help defenders understand the law, the science, and the messaging underlying these prosecutions, NACDL is offering a FREE, on-demand training videos on Defending Drug Overdose Homicides.
Funded by a grant from Vital Strategies, a public health organization committed to building community oriented, science-backed solutions which promote a sustained reduction in overdose deaths, this on-demand training content is designed to educate and empower defenders to tackle these challenging and difficult cases.
Faulty forensic evidence Michele Nethercott
Search & Seizure Commentary: A Human Look at Canine Sniffing
The law of expert evidence has experienced significant recent developments. This presentation will discuss the recent amendment to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 (experts) and what we as criminal defense lawyers can do to take advantage of the amendment (especially when it comes to excluding government sponsored expert evidence). The presentation will also cover the recent Supreme Court decisions in Diaz v. United States (opinion on ultimate issue), and Smith v. Arizona (Confrontation Clause).
Illinois v. Caballes: Some Disturbing Questions
In 2012, the FBI and DOJ, in conjunction with the Innocence Project and NACDL, began a review of criminal cases in which FBI microscopic hair comparison analysts gave testimony or conducted lab work. As a result of that effort, the FBI has admitted that the agents in the elite Hair and Fiber Unit of the FBI Crime Lab gave erroneous testimony in at least 90% of the hundreds of microscopic hair comparison cases reviewed. Although the results of the FBI Review are staggering, they only represent a fraction of the problem caused by flawed microscopic hair comparison analysis testimony.
In March 2016, the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO) changed its Guidelines for bite mark analysis, significantly limiting the testimonial conclusions of board-certified experts. These changes open the door to post-conviction litigation for many, if not most, people convicted on such analysis, as well as potentially aiding in any pre-trial challenges. This webinar will give participants some of the basics of bite mark “science” (or lack thereof) and contextualize the change in Guidelines within that changing discipline.
In this webinar, Jennifer Friedman and Julia Leighton discuss the impact of President Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report (PCAST Report), as well as the role and work of the National Commission on Forensic Science and the Organization of Scientific Areas Committees (OSAC) on litigation.
In 2003, the FBI's erroneous identification of Brandon Mayfield's fingerprint forever changed the latent print field. This error led to a wrongful arrest, while errors in the cases of Lana Canen, Beniah Dandridge, and the Marquette Park 4 led to wrongful convictions. These cases include important lessons for today's defense attorneys on latent print concepts. Dr. Glenn Langenburg and Eric Ray discuss the details of these cases and concepts related to fingerprint errors, AFIS searches, close non-matches, conflicting conclusions, fingerprint exclusions, and the importance of defense experts.
Presented by Eric Ray and Glenn Langenburg, certified latent print examiners, of the Double Loop Podcast
Forensic Computer Experts Larry Daniel, Lars Daniel, and Jake Green from Envista Forensics cover child pornography cases and how experts can help you win your case. Topics include issues related to common social media platforms in child pornography cases, such as Omegle, Discord, Whisper, and Kik, the FBI’s use of undercover covert employees, discovery issues that can turn cases around, and how an expert can help reduce that production case into receipt or possession.
Presented by Kate Judson, Executive Director of the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences, and Dr. Andre Lloyd discuss defending child abuse cases in light of the American Academy of Pediatrics' position paper on shaken baby/abusive head trauma cases (attached)
Presented by Marc Fennell, Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) with the International Association of Arson Investigators and Licensed Private Investigator
This page contains materials and information related to Shaken Baby Syndrome / Abusive Head Trauma.
