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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In Part II of the discussion on Race and Collateral Consequences, we explore how the use of “moral character” clauses, like those used in state bar licensing, can prevent individuals with convictions from participating in the legal profession. We also discuss a range of restrictions to entrepreneurial ventures that people with criminal convictions face that range from limiting a person’s ability to access capital through loans to barring participation in the legal, regulated cannabis industry.
In celebration of Second Chance Month in April, NACDL hosts the first of two discussions on race and collateral consequences. Panelists discuss the long-term impacts of criminal convictions, the specific harm that collateral consequences have caused to communities of color, and what it will take to meaningfully change this system.
This webinar acknowledged Second Chance Month and will feature advocates working toward reforming expungement provisions in several jurisdictions, specifically Pennsylvania and California.
The undersigned organizations write to express opposition to legislation currently under consideration by your committee - SB 36, which would create a publicly available registry for residents with a prior felony conviction. NACDL is a signatory.
Letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding former Attorney General William Barr's ruling in Matter of Thomas and Matter of Thompson, 27 I. & N. Dec. 674 (AG 2019) changing DOJ and DHS policy so state courts can only affect immigration sentencing if related to underlying criminal proceedings and not the immigration case.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' NACDL Press and Thomson Reuters Westlaw released the second book of their joint publishing venture, Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions: Law, Policy and Practice by Margaret Colgate Love, Jenny Roberts, and Cecelia Klingele. This volume is a comprehensive resource for practicing civil and criminal lawyers, judges and policymakers on the legal restrictions and penalties that result from a criminal conviction over and above the court-imposed sentence.
Hearing transcripts from NACDL's Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction held in Washington, DC February 20-22, 2013.
Hearing transcripts from NACDL's Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction held in San Francisco July 26-27, 2012.
Hearing transcripts from NACDL's Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction held in New York City May 15-17, 2013.
Hearing transcripts from NACDL's Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction held in Miami February 16-17, 2012.
Hearing transcripts from NACDL's Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction held in Cleveland April 26-27, 2012.
Hearing transcripts from NACDL's Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction held in Chicago October 20-21, 2011.
Testimony by Patricia Warth, Co-Director of Justice Strategies at the Center for Community Alternatives, to the NACDL Task Force on Restoration of Rights and Status After Conviction
NACDL successfully opposed the creation of a public felony registry in Indiana.
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.
