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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See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in Rhode Island. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in Rhode Island that NACDL is tracking.
Hear from state and national experts who will explore a range of strategies adopted to account for the devastating impacts of the war on drugs, highlighting the most effective modes of providing relief for individuals with prior cannabis convictions.
20th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 18-20, 2021 | 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.
Brief of Amici Curiae Juvenile Law Center, the Sentencing Project, the Gault Center, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Prison Policy Initiative in Support of Respondents Joao Neves, Keith Nunes, Pablo Ortega, and Mario Monteiro.
In 2019, Rhode Island repealed all pre- (and post-)Roe laws that criminalized (or attempted to criminalize) abortion (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-3-1; § 11-3-4; § 11-23-5; and § 23-4.12-1 to § 23-4.12-6) via the Reproductive Privacy Act (“RPA”) (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-4.13-2), which went into effect on June 19, 2019.
Public defense issues and developments in Rhode Island
The Sixth Amendment's promise that every person accused of a crime is entitled to counsel is a hollow one when the attorney appointed lacks the time and resources to provide meaningful representation. In order to determine whether defenders in Rhode Island are facing a caseload crisis, NACDL, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants (ABA SCLAID), and the accounting firm of BlumShapiro undertook an assessment of the Rhode Island Public Defender system ("RIPD"). [Released November 2017]
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 worked with the Yes We Cannabis RI coalition to successfully advocate for the legalization of marijuana in Rhode Island.
Policies and rulings on lengthy imprisonment terms in Rhode Island.
Information on the policy and history of recording custodial interrogations in Rhode Island.
Attorney-client communications federal caselaw and state-specific anecdotal data in Rhode Island
Public defense issues and developments in Rhode Island