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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On the Second Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder, Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar Calls for Renewed Focus on Reform – Washington, DC (May 25, 2022) – Two years ago, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, shocking the nation and setting off a renewed wave of calls for reform of police use of force against people of color.
This is for you to express interest in the Full Disclosure Project. There’s no commitment and there are no right or wrong answers. As capacity allows NACDL will follow up for more information to assess the suitability of your jurisdiction/agency to participate in our Full Disclosure Project. Decisions will be made based upon the information provided. You are welcome to submit additional supporting documents that can further assist us in assessing the capacity and infrastructure your organization.
The Full Disclosure Project aims to disrupt the culture of secrecy that systematically and pervasively shields law enforcement misconduct by changing police secrecy laws and empowering the defense community to track police misconduct.
NACDL Full Disclosure Project's response to the Request for Information and recommendations to the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) regarding the National Decertification Index Expansion Project and the need to address and present law enforcement misconduct data transparently.
NACDL's statement to the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice regarding the need for more accountability and transparency in policing to effect meaningful, much-needed reforms.
Letter to New Jersey legislative leadership regarding a proposed bill to require that law enforcement disciplinary records are government record and available to the public (S2656, 2020).
Coalition letter from the NJ Coalition for Transparent Policing to the leadership of the New Jersey state legislature regarding proposed legislation to make law enforcement disciplinary records accessible to the public as government record (Senate Bill 2656).
Tools to get started and find data
Coalition letter to President Biden regarding the absence thus far of executive actions addressing discriminatory and militarized policing in Black and Brown communities.
Presented by Roger Fairfax, Professor, George Washington Univ. School of Law; Carol Elder Bruce, K&L Gates, Washington, DC; Niki Kuckes, Professor, Roger Williams University School of Law, Bristol, RI; Gerald B. Lefcourt, Esq., New York, NY; and Gina Simms, Ober | Kaler, Washington, DC
Board member Tim Evans' statement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and to the House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice, regarding the 1993 confrontation between Branch Davidians and law enforcement in Waco, TX.
Member Jack B. Zimmermann's written statement to the House House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and House Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice regarding the 1993 confrontation between Branch Davidians and law enforcement in Waco, TX.
Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, and American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California in Support of the Petition for Rehearing En Banc.
Argument: The panel decision failed to recognize that the Fourth Amendment plainly prohibits police officers from stealing private property for personal gain. The Fourth Amendment was designed in part to prohibit the Colonial Era practice of officers stealing private property. Case law confirms that the Fourth Amendment prohibits officers from stealing private property while executing a warrant. Rehearing is necessary to prevent immunizing serious law enforcement abuses.
NACDL Director of Legislative Affairs Leslie Hagin's written statement to the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution regarding the actions of bail bond companies and bounty hunters expected to change with the Citizen Protection Act of 1998 (H.R. 3168) in order to protect individuals' civil rights and civil liberties.
President Gerald Goldstein's statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Improvement Act of 1995 (S. 3).
