Take a journey to the past with ACDL-NJ President Matthew S. Adams and Joe Hayden, founder and first president, as they take a look back at the criminal justice emergency that spurred the formation of the organization nearly 40 years ago:
The ACDL-NJ's History and Mission
The Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ) was established in 1985 and has since become the primary organized voice for the criminal defense bar in New Jersey. The ACDL-NJ was formed, among other reasons, to respond to the continuing problems confronting criminal defense lawyers when they honestly, ethically, but zealously represent their clients; to protect and insure compliance with those individual rights guaranteed by the New Jersey and United States Constitutions; and to encourage cooperation among criminal defense lawyers engaged in the furtherance of those objectives. The criminal defense lawyer has a difficult job, which is poorly understood by the public and, on occasion, even by the courts. The ACDL-NJ's message to criminal defense lawyers has always been, and will continue to be: in your efforts to insure the basic rights and liberties of all people, you are not alone.
Message from the President
The Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey is an active, engaged group of more than 500 members across New Jersey, assisting each other to become effective advocates on behalf of criminal defendants, especially in difficult situations. The ACDL-NJ continues to make its voice heard in the New Jersey appellate courts as amicus curiae on behalf of the interests of the criminal defense bar and its clients in important matters. Our Lawyers Assistance Committee has successfully advocated on behalf of ACDL members in state and federal court, and our Legislation Committee has continued to monitor and weigh in on pending legislation affecting criminal defendants. The ACDL-NJ listserv enables members to reach out to our entire membership and pick the brains of the finest criminal defense lawyers in this State. In sum, there has never been a better time to become a member of the ACDL-NJ. If you are already a member and have suggestions about how to make the ACDL-NJ more useful to its members, please let us know.
- Matthew S. Adams, ACDL-NJ President