Welcome to the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Website (MTACDL). We are an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), a nationwide organization of 10,000 dedicated criminal defense attorneys. The Montana Association was formed in 1997 to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crimes; to foster the integrity, independence and expertise of those who represent persons accused of crimes; and to promote the proper and fair administration of justice. We do this by providing educational programs at our annual seminar held each March at the Chico Hot Springs resort; through the exchange of information and ideas in our brief bank and on our private listserve; and by simply being there for one another to discuss a case, celebrate a victory, or console one another in defeat.
Defending those accused of crimes is a difficult calling, whether you are a full time public defender, a court appointed attorney, a private practitioner, or a tribal court advocate. The actions you must take on behalf of your client and your ethical obligations to your client will often not be understood or supported by the general public.
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… Read More In 1997 a group of Montana attorneys got together to form the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MTACDL). We are an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), a nationwide organization of 10,000 dedicated criminal defense attorneys. According to our founding documents, MTACDL was formed to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crimes, to foster the integrity, independence, and expertise of the criminal defense profession, and to promote the proper and fair administration of criminal justice. Our specific goals include:
If you are a criminal defense lawyer in good standing, their associated employees, or an approved affiliate, please join us!
We need legal professionals like you to help MTACDL defend the Constitution and protect the Bill of Rights, ensuring our clients have the best possible representation in a fair judicial environment.
And you need us. For nominal dues, we provide indispensable mutual support in a nonprofit organization of sincere and committed professionals just like you. Here are some of the benefits of membership: