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 justice system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal justice system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal justice 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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Comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service regarding proposed changes to SNAP benefits for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD).
Coalition letters to the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and House of Delegates Judiciary Committee regarding proposed legislation (SB 921, HB 1213) to eliminate restrictions on jury eligibility for those with criminal convictions.
Letter to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regarding proposed changes to Section 19, which regulates restrictions for people with relevant criminal convictions.
Statement to Congress regarding restrictions to federal relief from COVID-19-related economic hardship for small business owners with criminal convictions.
Coalition letter from Free to Drive to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators regarding the need to limit driver's license suspensions and refusals to renew for reasons not related to unsafe driving during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2018, NACDL hosted its 17th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference and 2nd Annual Presidential Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. The Conference examined the destructive effect that a vast network of penalties, debarments, and disabilities following a criminal conviction has on the millions of people who have come in contact with the criminal justice system. [Released June 2019]
Between 2012 and 2014, NACDL’s Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction embarked on a study of relief mechanisms available to those with a conviction on their record on the local, state and federal level. At an event at the Open Society Foundations in Washington, DC, NACDL released a major new report that comprehensively explored the stigma and policies relegating tens of millions of people in America to second-class status because of an arrest or conviction. [Released May 2014]
The troubling confluence of overcriminalization and ever-expanding collateral consequences in the electronic era has not affected all people equally. Poor and minority communities, where residents are policed most heavily and where zero-tolerance policing practices have led to skyrocketing numbers of minor quality of life arrests, bear the brunt of the nation's crimialization obsession. As a result, African Americans and Hispanics bear the brunt of consequences that follow a criminal record.
NACDL web resources related to restoration of rights and the collateral consequences of an arrest or conviction.
Written Statement of Rick Jones, Executive Director Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem On behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Before the House Committee on the Judiciary Over-Criminalization Task Force Re: “Collateral Consequences” June 26, 20142 Introduction Rick Jones is the Executive
Testimony of MATHIAS H. HECK, Jr. on behalf of the AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION for the hearing on COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS AND THE PROBLEM OF OVER-CRIMINALIZATION OF FEDERAL LAW before the Committee on the Judiciary Task Force on Over-Criminalization of the UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Jun
This month Tony Bornstein reviews The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose by Chris Wilson with Bret Witter.
Comments to the Judicial Conference Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure regarding a proposed amendment to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
The Restoration of Rights Project is an online resource that offers state-by-state analyses of the law and practice in each U.S. jurisdiction relating to restoration of rights and status following arrest or conviction. Jurisdictional “profiles” cover areas such as loss and restoration of civil rights and firearms rights, judicial and executive mechanisms for avoiding or mitigating collateral consequences, and provisions addressing non-discrimination in employment and licensing. Each jurisdiction’s information is separately summarized for quick reference. Click on a state to learn more.
Panelists: Lee McGrath, Managing Attorney for Minnesota and Senior Legislative Counsel, Institute for Justice; Desmond Meade, President, Florida Restoration of Rights Coalition; Marissa Dodson, Public Policy Director, Southern Center for Human Rights Moderator: Monica L. Reid, Senior Manager for Advocacy, NACDL
Shattering the Shackles of Collateral Consequences: Exploring Moral Principles and Economic Innovations to Restore Rights and Opportunity NACDL’s 17th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference and 2nd Annual Presidential Summit | August 23-25, 2018 | Atlanta, GA
