News Release Chronology:
June 2000 -- Statement of NACDL in Reaction to Supreme Court Decision in U.S. v. Hubbell
Washington, DC, June 5, 2000 -- "The Fifth Amendment has trumped the Office of Independent Counsel" said William B. Moffitt, President of the NACDL, in response to the near unanimous decision today by the Supreme Court dismissing an indictment against former Associate Attorney General Webster Hubbell.--more--
May 2000 -- NEW REPORT: FEDERAL GRAND JURY SYSTEM RIFE WITH ABUSE
Washington, DC, May 18, 2000 -- Some of the nation's leading criminal justice experts -- many of them former prosecutors -- joined NACDL today to unveil a series of reforms to the nation's federal grand jury system, which they say has become captive to the unrestrained power of prosecutors. In a report to be delivered to Members of Congress, NACDL's Commission on Grand Jury Reform recommends changes that would guard individuals and businesses against unwarranted prosecutions and spare them from the devastating effects of being forced to face trial on meritless charges.--more--
April 2000 -- Reform Coalition Succeeds; Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Clears Congress
Washington, DC, April 11, 2000 -- Innocent citizens will no longer suffer at the hands of overzealous law enforcement officials who unfairly seize property and other assets, that the House and Senate have agreed to send to President Clinton to sign into law. Passage of the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 (H.R. 1658) institutes overdue protections for citizens and reins in the government's ability to arbitrarily make seizures without due process of law.--more--
March 2000 -- Reform Coalition Succeeds; Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Sails Through the Senate
Washington, DC, March 28, 2000 -- Innocent citizens will no longer suffer at the hands of overzealous law enforcement officials who unfairly seize property and other assets, thanks to hard-fought reform legislation passed unanimously by the Senate last night. Passage of the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 (S. 1931) institutes overdue protections for citizens and reins in the government's ability to arbitrarily make seizures without due process of law.--more--
March 2000 -- Banish Corruption, Not Benetton
Washington, DC, March 2, 2000 -- In reaction to the Benetton Company's We, On Death Row project, California State Assemblyman Scott Baugh has foolishly and irresponsibly attempted to punish the clothing company by calling for a statewide boycott of Benetton products. "It is ironic that Rep. Baugh finds Benetton to be such a dangerous threat to the California criminal justice system when just yesterday, the LAPD released its inquiry into the Rampart corruption scandal which devastated the lives of hundreds of innocent Californians," said NACDL President William B. Moffitt.--more--
March 2000 -- Missouri Lawsuit Against NACDL and Benetton: "Frivolous Political Grandstanding"
Washington, DC, March 2, 2000 -- NACDL was pleased to sponsor the human rights communications project, We, On Death Row, funded by the Benetton Group. We believe it presents an important -- and often overlooked -- portrait of the human faces on death row. The accusations about Benetton, Oliviero Toscani, Ken Shulman and NACDL representatives Prof. Speedy Rice and Julie Wasson are untrue and erroneous.--more--
February 2000 -- Innocence Agenda Needed in Louisiana
New Orleans, LA, February 25, 2000 -- The likely conviction of the innocent which results in prison and even deaths sentences in Louisiana and across the country may be eased and prevented by implementing new reforms including DNA testing legislation, the nation's preeminent criminal defense bar said today.--more--
February 2000 -- "Softer Side" of Sears Should Not Include Censorship
Washington, DC, February 18, 2000 -- According to published reports in today's Chicago Sun-Times, Sears has bowed to political pressure from Chicago aldermen who threatened to withdraw a $13 million city redevelopment grant to Sears if Sears did not cancel its Benetton contract. "We are outraged that Sears, Roebuck and Co. would knuckle under to this kind of irresponsible political pressure," said William B. Moffitt, NACDL president.--more--
February 2000 -- DNA Testing Reform Legislation Long Overdue
Washington, DC, February 11, 2000 -- Legislation designed to remedy wrongful convictions and reform the capital punishment justice system earned high marks from the NACDL. The "Innocence Protection Act," introduced today by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) offers long overdue changes that will pave the way for the vindication of some who have been wrongfully convicted and improve the quality of counsel for indigent defendants.--more--
February 2000 -- Criminal Defense Bar Encourages "Second Look" at Death Penalty: Illinois Governor Takes Courageous First Step
Washington, DC, February 1, 2000 -- The nation's preeminent criminal defense bar association commends Illinois Gov. George Ryan for taking the decisive step of halting executions in that state following the release of 13 innocent men from death row.--more--
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