The NACDL Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award recognizes an individual or group whose exceptional efforts have led toward progressive reform of a state criminal justice system.

New York City Attorney Rick Jones Receives Prestigious 2016 Heeney Award from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Aug. 15, 2016) – New York City attorney Rick Jones has been chosen as the 2016 recipient of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' (NACDL) Robert C.  Heeney Memorial Award.

NACDL changes the name of its Champion of Indigent Defense Award to Champion of Public Defense Award, effective immediately.

Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Nov. 6, 2017) – On October 28, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented Charles Ogletree, the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and Founding Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented by NACDL President Rick Jones at NACDL’s 2017 Fall Meeting in Boston, MA.

Martín A. Sabelli Receives Champion of Justice Award from Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Washington, DC (Aug. 6, 2019) – On Saturday, August 3, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) presented Martín A. Sabelli with its Champion of Justice Legal Award. Champion of Justice Awards are bestowed upon those individuals who have staunchly preserved or defended the constitutional rights of American citizens and have endeavored to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime.

South Carolina State Senator Gerald Malloy Receives Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award by Nation's Criminal Defense Bar -- Palm Beach, FL (Aug. 12, 2016) – Gerald Malloy, a private attorney and state senator from South Carolina, was honored today with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL's 15th Annual State Criminal Justice Network conference in Palm Beach, FL.

Civil Rights Leader Vanita Gupta Receives Justice Award at the Foundation for Criminal Justice Awards Gala Dinner -- Washington, DC (Aug. 10, 2017) – Civil rights pioneer Vanita Gupta was recently honored with the Justice Award from the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ).

Hon. John Gleeson Receives Defense Bar's Judicial Recognition Award -- New York, NY (October 22, 2015) – Today, U.S. District Judge John Gleeson of the Eastern District of New York received the prestigious Judicial Recognition Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) at the Association's 11th Annual White Collar Seminar amp; Fall Board Meeting at Fordham University.

NACDL and the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice bestows awards as deserved on individuals and organizations who have made foundational contributions to criminal justice reform.