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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 continues to oppose the use of face surveillance in California.
NACDL supports legislation to reduce the number of mandatory minimum laws and restore judicial discretion in sentencing.
NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually First Steps for State Sentencing Reform
NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually When Robocop Becomes Reality: Confronting Technology in the Criminal Justice System
Fact sheet on California SB 1038, which would preserve existing civil rights protections against the use of biometric surveillance by law enforcement on officer-worn body cameras.
See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in California. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in California that NACDL is tracking.
Letter to Senator Steven Bradford in support of SB 1038, which would ensure the continued state law protection of civil rights against the use of biometric surveillance by law enforcement on officer-worn body cameras.
Public defense issues and developments in California
Policies and rulings on lengthy imprisonment terms in California.
Coalition letter to the California Assembly Appropriations Committee regarding a proposal to repeal mandatory minimums and allow for more judicial discretion in sentencing for certain drug offenses, as outlined in SB 73 (2020).
Coalition letter to California Assemblymember Ed Chau regarding disparities and discrimination, abuse, accuracy, information sharing, and other issues in the proposed bill AB 2261 on facial recognition technologies.
Information on the policy and history of recording custodial interrogations in California.
Attorney-client communications federal caselaw and state-specific anecdotal data in California
Summary of recent discovery reforms adopted by states
Advocacy Call on California Death Penalty Initiatives