NHACDL'S LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS

     NHACDL has participated in the legislative process for several years seeking to fulfill our mission to ensure fairness in the administration of the criminal justice system. Each session we have achieved some successful results but have also had some setbacks that have taught us some valuable lessons.  We have tackled issues that are unique to New Hampshire and issues that are being addressed by sensible reformists around the country.

     The NHACDL legislative effort is a joint effort by the executive director, board members and the membership.  We do not employ a lobbyist.

     Our efforts are, in the first instance the product of consideration by the Board of Directors and input from the National Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) through our participation in the State Legislative Network (SLN). The SLN keeps us current on developments in other states and helps us to seek positive reforms in New Hampshire by providing training, model legislation and communication amongst NACDL affiliates about state legislative issues. Once our priorities have been set we normally act through the President or Executive Director with the assistance of various volunteers.

     NHACDL is able to take positions before the legislature without any legal restrictions.  This is a unique position in the criminal defense bar in New Hampshire because the Public Defender Program is limited to an informational role in the legislative process by virtue of its contract with the Judicial Council.  We pursue our legislative positions informally, through discussions with individual legislators, and formally, by filing written and oral testimony when various bills are considered by the House and Senate Committees. Additionally we try to develop strategic relationships with other groups to pursue common legislative objectives.  Over time we have worked with a number of groups including the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, the Attorney General’s Office, the Judicial Council and others.