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Platform Proposal Submission

Help Set PACDL’s Legislative Platform

You know where the system fails. Use your voice to fix it.

PACDL’s legislative platform is driven by its members—criminal defense lawyers on the front lines—who know what needs to change. Whether you’re in private practice, a public defender office, or serving as conflict counsel, your experience is key to shaping smart, impactful policy.

Why Submit a Proposal?

🔹 Influence Legislation
Turn real-world problems into real legislative solutions. Your proposal could be the foundation of PACDL’s advocacy work at the state or federal level.

🔹 Advocate for Your Clients
From sentencing reform to procedural fairness, use your day-to-day experience to push for change that benefits those you defend.

🔹 Drive Reform, Not Just React to It
PACDL doesn’t just respond to bad bills—we put forward ideas that promote fairness and justice.

What to Submit

Your proposal can:

  • Recommend a change in state law that negatively impacts the ability of criminal defense lawyers to advocate for their clients.

  • Highlight a policy or practice that creates an uneven playing field for criminal defense lawyers.

  • Advocate for or against proposed criminal defense legislation.

  • Suggest improvements to existing programs or procedures.

How It Works

  1. Submit Your Idea in November and early December.

  2. Platform Committee Reviews and refines proposals in January

  3. Board of Directors Approves the draft in February

  4. Full Membership Votes at the Annual Meeting in April

If adopted, your proposal becomes part of PACDL’s official legislative agenda—and we’ll work to make it law.

How to Submit

  1. Draft a Clear Proposal
    Focus on a specific issue. Explain the problem, the proposed change, and why it matters.

  2. Use the Online Form
    Submit your proposal using our online platform. Proposals are due mid-December.

  3. Stay Engaged
    The Platform Committee reviews submissions and makes recommendations to the Board. Members vote at the Annual Meeting of Members in April.

If adopted, your proposal becomes part of PACDL’s official legislative platform—and you’ll be part of the team pushing it forward.

Let Your Experience Shape the Law

This is your chance to turn courtroom frustrations into legislative action. Submit a proposal. Shape the platform. Join us in advocating for a better system—built by defense lawyers, for defense lawyers.

Submit your proposal between November 1 and December 15 — and help define PACDL’s policy blueprint for the year ahead.