Our Mission

Defending the Constitution, Protecting Liberty, and Advancing Criminal Justice

The American Board of Criminal Lawyers (ABCL) is dedicated to preserving the constitutional rights, fundamental freedoms, and dignity of every individual accused of a crime.

Founded in June 1978 by San Francisco criminal defense attorney Nathan Cohn, the ABCL was established as an honorary national organization recognizing outstanding criminal trial lawyers who demonstrate exceptional courtroom skill, professional integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the administration of justice.

At the heart of the ABCL’s mission is a fundamental American principle: the Constitution protects everyone, not merely the popular, the powerful, or the innocent. Its guarantees extend to the accused, the unpopular, the marginalized, and those who stand alone against the overwhelming power of the government.

The American criminal justice system depends on lawyers willing to challenge authority, confront injustice, defend unpopular clients, and insist that the government honor the constitutional limitations placed upon its power. The ABCL recognizes and brings together accomplished criminal defense lawyers who have dedicated their professional lives to these responsibilities.

Our mission is not simply to recognize excellence in criminal trial advocacy. It is to champion the principles that make meaningful criminal defense possible: due process, the presumption of innocence, equal protection, the right to counsel, trial by jury, and the rule of law.

Defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

The United States Constitution is more than a historical document. It is a binding limitation on government power and a promise that individual liberty cannot be taken away without the protections guaranteed by law.

The Bill of Rights establishes essential safeguards against arbitrary prosecution, unlawful searches, coerced confessions, unfair trials, excessive punishment, and abuses of governmental authority.

The Fifth Amendment declares:

“nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”

The Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants:

“the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”

And the Eighth Amendment prohibits:

“cruel and unusual punishments”

These constitutional guarantees are not technicalities. They are among the foundations of American democracy, designed to protect individuals against the tremendous power of the state. Their meaning is most profoundly tested when the government seeks to investigate, prosecute, imprison, or otherwise punish an individual.

The ABCL stands for the vigorous protection of these constitutional safeguards and the essential role of criminal defense lawyers in ensuring that they remain meaningful in practice. Learn more about these constitutional protections through the National Archives’ official documentation of the Bill of Rights.

Standing Against Injustice and Defending the Rights of the Oppressed

Throughout American history, the criminal justice system has often reflected the inequalities, prejudices, and political pressures of the society surrounding it.

Individuals who lack wealth, influence, education, or political power are especially vulnerable when confronted by the resources of the government.

The protection of constitutional rights cannot depend upon a person’s race, religion, nationality, economic status, political beliefs, public reputation, or the accusations made against them.

Justice requires that every accused person receive the full protection of the law, regardless of who they are or what they are accused of doing.

The ABCL embraces the principle that defending the accused is not an endorsement of alleged criminal conduct. Rather, it is a defense of the constitutional system itself.

Criminal defense lawyers serve an indispensable function in a free society. They challenge unreliable evidence, expose misconduct, confront improper investigations, test the credibility of witnesses, and require the government to prove its allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

By standing beside individuals at their most vulnerable moments, defense attorneys help prevent wrongful convictions, safeguard human dignity, and maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.

The courage to defend an unpopular client is not a departure from the pursuit of justice. It is frequently one of its highest expressions.

Preserving the Presumption of Innocence and the Right to a Fair Trial

The presumption of innocence is one of the defining principles of American criminal jurisprudence.

An accusation is not a conviction. An arrest is not proof of guilt. Public outrage cannot replace evidence, and government authority cannot substitute for the burden of proof.

Every person accused of a criminal offense is entitled to a fair opportunity to challenge the government’s case through the protections afforded by the Constitution and applicable law.

The American Board of Criminal Lawyers recognizes that these protections depend upon the existence of independent, knowledgeable, and courageous defense counsel.

Effective criminal defense demands preparation, sound judgment, ethical conduct, courtroom experience, and the willingness to challenge even the most powerful institutions.

The ABCL’s commitment to excellence in criminal trial advocacy reflects a larger commitment to a justice system in which verdicts are determined by reliable evidence, lawful procedures, and impartial decision-makers rather than prejudice, publicity, fear, or political pressure.

Recognizing Excellence in Criminal Defense Advocacy

Since its establishment in 1978, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers has brought together highly accomplished criminal trial attorneys through its distinguished Fellowship.

Fellowship in the ABCL is by invitation and recognizes lawyers with substantial criminal trial experience, demonstrated professional achievement, and a commitment to ethical advocacy.

ABCL Fellows have participated in significant criminal proceedings throughout the United States, including complex and high-profile prosecutions involving important questions of constitutional law, due process, criminal procedure, and individual liberty.

The organization’s strength lies in the collective experience, independence, and professional judgment of its Fellows.

Through the exchange of knowledge, professional relationships, and a shared commitment to criminal defense excellence, the ABCL seeks to preserve the traditions of courageous advocacy that are essential to the American adversarial system.

The ABCL recognizes that the most important measure of a criminal defense lawyer is not simply the cases won or the publicity received, but the lawyer’s dedication to protecting the client’s rights, maintaining professional integrity, and demanding fairness in the administration of justice.

Our Continuing Commitment to Liberty and the Rule of Law

The challenges facing criminal defense lawyers continue to evolve. Advances in surveillance technology, digital evidence, forensic science, and investigative methods create new questions about privacy, constitutional protections, and the proper limits of governmental authority.

At the same time, longstanding concerns regarding wrongful convictions, unequal treatment, access to competent legal representation, prosecutorial misconduct, and excessive punishment remain central to the pursuit of justice.

The principles underlying the American Board of Criminal Lawyers are therefore as relevant today as they were at its founding in June 1978.

The ABCL recognizes that constitutional freedoms must be protected in every generation. They cannot survive through tradition or rhetoric alone. They must be asserted in courtrooms, defended against encroachment, and preserved through the daily work of lawyers committed to the rule of law.

The organization honors criminal trial lawyers who understand that the defense of individual liberty often requires independence, perseverance, and the courage to stand against overwhelming odds.

A justice system is measured not only by how it treats the innocent, the powerful, and the respected, but by how faithfully it protects the rights of those who are accused, condemned, powerless, or despised.

That principle lies at the heart of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.

Our enduring mission is to preserve fundamental freedoms, defend the Constitution, promote excellence in criminal trial advocacy, and uphold the principle that justice and due process belong to everyone.