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
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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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NACDL welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Drug Enforcement Agency’s proposed rule on the status of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. NACDL urges the DEA to reconsider its proposed rule and issue a new rule to deschedule marijuana. Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III will not end federal marijuana arrests, even for possession and use, it will not release anyone from prison, and it will not expunge previous marijuana arrests from individuals’ criminal records. NACDL contends that rescheduling marijuana is simply not enough, and marijuana should be federally descheduled.
We advocate for immediate commutation of sentences, compassionate release, and second chances for persons convicted of non-violent marijuana offenses. The continued prosecution of marijuana crimes continues to cause irreparable harm on real people and their families. Men and women languish in federal prisons across this country for conduct today that has been legalized in many states and under statues that have been rewritten to reflect the evolving landscape in the field of marijuana.
For those whose lengthy incarceration is driven by cannabis related offenses, the injustice is particularly striking. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered criminal convictions and the attendant consequences of those convictions.
Learn more and find resurces for your cannabis case-related issues here.
"This PBS Spotlight segment highlights the injustice of cannabis prosecution. Notably featured in this specific film is the work of The Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit focused on cannabis criminal justice reform. Presented by The Beehouse Justice Initiative, a New York City organization dedicated to healing 'some of the harms caused by disparate enforcement of cannabis prohibition' and video production company Matador Content, the film is narrated by Chris Rock and directed by Ezra Paek." - Last Prisoner Project
Order granting motion for compassionate release.
Memorandum and Order granting compassionate release.
The Court addresses Defendant's Amended Motion for Compassionate Release.
Order and motion granting compassionate release.
Amicus Brief filed by the Last Prisoner Project in the case of U.S. v. Scarmazzo urging the judge to grant compassionate release after he was sentenced to 21 years for operating a medical marijuna dispensary in California.
Memorandum and Order granting compassionate release after a sealed motion to reconsider defendants preiously denied pro se compassionate release motion was filed through the Federal Public Defenders.
Example of an amended judgement and compassionate release grant.
2018 update on prisoner recidivism of those convicted of marijuana-related offenses: a 9-year follow-up period (2005-2014).
