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
Help shape the future of the association
Join the dedicated and passionate team at NACDL
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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"Forgotten in jail without a lawyer: how a Texas town fails poor defendants," by Jolie McCullough, New York Times, March 25, 2025
"Understaffed R.I. public defender’s office asked for two more attorneys. McKee’s budget says no.," by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current, March 24, 2025
"Oregon is in the midst of an ‘unrepresented crisis’ of public defender shortage, but why?," by Lauren Dake, Oregon Public Broadcasting, March 13, 2025
"A shortage of criminal defense attorneys threatens indigent right to counsel in rural Texas," by Pooja Salhotra, Texas Tribune, February 27, 2025
"Do lawyers matter? A Sixth Amendment case in Missouri turns on that question," by Tony Messenger, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 12, 2025
"US judicial panel endorses independence for federal public defenders," by Nate Raymond, Reuters, December 19, 2024
"Judge demands answers from Idaho state public defender after defendants left without counsel," by Mia Maldonado, Idaho Capital Sun, October 23, 2024
"Shift in Idaho's public defense system raises concerns," by Abby Davis, KTVB 7, October 14, 2024
"Public Defenders Are About to Be on the Front Lines for Protecting Abortion Rights," by Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, May 16, 2022
"Attorneys sue to block vote on Marsy's Law that would expand crime victims' rights," by Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 19, 2019
"Opinion: Funding Public Defense Furthers Community Safety," by Keisha Hudson and Manohar Raju, Newsweek, July 22, 2024
"Oregon Public Defense Commission details multi-pronged efforts to stem public defender crisis," by Allison Frost, OBP, July 26, 2024
"Denver kids and teens will now receive free public defenders in municipal court," by Tatiana Flowers, Colorado Sun, July 10, 2024
"Across Maine, judges are deciding when the lack of an attorney becomes a constitutional violation," by Josh Keefe, Maine Monitor, July 07, 2024
"Oregon launches new public defender division to stem constitutional crisis," by Zane Sparling, Salem Reporter/The Oregonian, June 24, 2024
