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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Despite assurances that, “[I]n our society, liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial…the carefully limited exception,” over 75 percent of those detained in local jails have not been convicted of a crime.
22nd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 16-17, 2023 | Held Virtually
This session will focus on “Second Look Sentencing” reforms that seek to provide individuals with the opportunity for resentencing or a sentence reduction after they have served a certain amount of time in prison.
20th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 18-20, 2021 | Held Virtually
This panel highlights policing reforms adopted over the last year and what still needs to be done.
At least 85,000 law enforcement officers across the U.S. have been investigated or disciplined for misconduct over the past decade according to a USA Today investigation. Police disciplinary records are confidential in roughly 21 states, meaning people facing charges aren’t able to learn about the background of involved officers. Learn why transparency is vital and current state legislative efforts to allow for increased transparency of police misconduct records.
NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually
Over half of the nearly 7 million people controlled by the U.S. criminal legal system are on probation and parole. Learn more about community supervision’s role in mass incarceration, as well as state legislative efforts to reform probation and parole around the country.
Ending mass incarceration will require changing sentencing policies and practices. But where are we now and what impact will COVID-19 have? Learn about varies state sentencing reform efforts, as well as release options during the COVID-19 pandemic and what states can do moving forward as a result of the pandemic.
Before bail reform, 60% of people in New York jails were being held pretrial. Reforms reduced jail numbers in 93% of counties, but misinformation about public safety fueled rollbacks. Hear lessons learned from advocates in New York, as well as receive tips and strategies around responding to critics and addressing concerns of court actors, legislators, and others.
Recording and resources for Second Look = Second Chance: The Case for Reconsidering Lengthy & Other Extreme Sentences, a webinar hosted by NACDL on March 11, 2021.
Recording of Legislating Freedom: The Importance of a Second Look, co-hosted by NACDL and The Sentencing Project during Second Chance Month 2022.
We strongly oppose A.1065A/S4555B, which would create a category of sex crimes that are unconstitutionally vague. The proposed law fails to give adequate notice of what conduct is prohibited under the law and would lead to unjust application and arbitrary prosecutions and convictions that can lead to a host of lifelong consequences.
NACDL supports the passage of clean slate legislation in New York.
The ‘trial penalty’ refers to the substantial difference between the sentence offered in a plea offer prior to trial versus the sentence a defendant receives after trial. This penalty is now so severe and pervasive that it has virtually eliminated the constitutional right to a trial. To avoid the penalty, accused persons must surrender many other fundamental rights which are essential to a fair justice system. [NYSACDL & NACDL] [Released March 2021]
Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, New York State Defenders Association, Immigrant Defense Project, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 1–Western NY, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 2–Central NY, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 3–Northern NY, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 4–Hudson Valley, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 5–Nyc, New York County Defender Services, the Legal Aid Society, and Brooklyn Defender Services in Support of Defendant-Appellant Marco Martinez and in Support of Reversing the Decision of the County Court
New York State has been moving towards making access to abortions easier. In 2019, through the Reproductive Health Act (2019), the legislature removed all penalties from the New York State Penal Codes for abortion, and made access to abortion a fundamental right. See Reproductive Health Act (Below).
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.
