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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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A new NACDL report outlines the ways in which Marsy’s Law, the colloquial name for a model Victims’ Bill of Rights, undermines fundamental due process rights.
23rd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 14-15, 2024 | Held Virtually
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
Marsy’s Law is the colloquial name for a model Victims’ Bill of Rights that enshrines victims’ rights within state constitutions. Victims’ rights were already codified and protected in most states. However, Marsy’s Law enshrines its flawed one-size-fits-all model within the state constitutions, creating unintended consequences for the criminal legal system.
[Released August 2024]
NACDL and the NYU Center on Violence and Recovery invite you to watch this on-demand video series on Restorative Justice (RJ). This series seeks to inform and assist criminal legal system stakeholders considering the implementation of an RJ program in their jurisdiction.
White collar cases are complex, and the clients in these cases are often part of society’s higher social strata. From “being bold” at the first meeting with the client to dealing with the client’s desire to talk to the press, veteran defense attorney Jim Brosnahan offers 10 tips that will make a white collar representation smoother.
NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in North Carolina.
NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in Nevada.
NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in Kentucky.
NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in Georgia.
NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in Florida.
NACDL opposed Marsy's Law, a sweeping victims' rights constitutional amendment, in Oklahoma.
NACDL talking points on Marsy's Law. It is important to remember the audience when targeting messages. While lawmakers have the time and the will to study policy implications, the general public will only react to simple, clear, and concise ideas. For example, point four and point six above will most likely have more impact with an everyday person, while points one and two will be of more interest to legislators.
Comments to the Judicial Conference of the United States Practice & Procedure Committee regarding a proposed amendment to define how federal courts should navigate an emergency suspension of rules (new Criminal Rule 62), such as those posed by COVID-19 and directed by the CARES Act (H.R. 748, 2020).
Letter to the Judicial Conference Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedures regarding preliminary examination, crime victims' rights, and rules of evidence.
Statement to the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules regarding the Criminal Victims' Rights Act and a proposed amendment to Rule 29.