Alaska Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

In 1971, Alaska Supreme Court Justice John Dimond wrote:

“The right of one charged with crime to counsel may not be deemed fundamental and essential to fair trials in some countries, but it is in ours. From the very beginning, our state and national constitutions and laws have laid great emphasis on procedural and substantive safeguards designed to assure fair trials before impartial tribunals in which every defendant stands equal before the law.”

Alexander v. City of Anchorage, 490 P.2d 910 (Alaska 1975) (quoting Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963).

The Alaska Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“AKACDL”) is an Alaska non-profit professional organization dedicated to the goal of fighting for fundamental rights of all of Alaska’s Citizens.  We are an association of criminal defense lawyers and other professionals working to uphold the ideals of the Alaskan legal system of which Justice Dimond was so proud.*

These are our goals: “To promote study and research in the field of criminal defense law and procedure and constitutional law. To disseminate by lecture, seminars, and publications such theories, technologies, and techniques that support or promote the field of criminal defense advocacy. To sponsor periodic meetings of the criminal defense bar; to provide a forum for the exchange of information regarding the administration of criminal justice; and thereby to protect individual rights and improve the practice and procedures of criminal law. To represent the association before the legislative, executive, and judicial bodies which determine policy for the state and federal governments in a manner that promotes the mission of the association and its objectives and purposes. To preserve, protect, and defend the adversary system of justice and the Alaska and U.S. Constitutions.”

*AKACDL is not a lawyer referral service. AKACDL does not provide legal services or advice to the public. AKACDL does not refer or recommend specific criminal defense attorneys.