NY Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

A team of defense lawyers thought it was time to address criminal defense concerns in New York State with a single voice, thus they founded the New York State Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers in 1986. Jack T. Litman, Lawrence S. Goldman, Murray Richman, Mark J. Mahoney, Gerard M. Damiani, Martin B. Adelman, and Ira D. London were among the founders of NYSACDL. Later, each of these individuals rose to the position of President of the Association.

It is a statewide organization committed to ensuring that everyone’s rights and liberties are protected, and we are attentive to the demands of both public defenders and private practitioners.

Numerous members of the organization have had prominent roles within the National Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers. Gerald B. Lefcourt, Robert Fogelnest, and Lawrence S. Goldman, the past presidents of NYSACDL, are also former NACDL presidents. The NACDL Board of Directors now includes former presidents Marvin Schechter, Joshua L. Dratel, and Mark J. Mahoney. Members of NYSACDL are represented on the New York State Defenders Association Board of Directors. One individual is appointed to the NYSACDL Board of Directors as a full voting member by both the NACDL and the NYSDA.

The mission statement of the NY Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

With the assistance of a powerful, unitary, and skilled criminal defense counsel, NYSACDL is committed to defending the rights of criminal defendants. The principle is that the best defense against injustice and mistakes in the criminal justice system is a determination defense.

The much anticipated NYSACDL Foundation, Inc. was finally established on May 26, 2011. The Foundation’s goals are to preserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the laws of the United States, and the State of New York, as well as to develop or improve the knowledge and skills of lawyers, students, and members of the public who are interested in criminal defense and in advancing the goals of justice. The Foundation will do this by offering and supporting charitable and educational programs and projects.

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