The Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (LACDL) is the only professional association of counsel devoted exclusively to the profession of Criminal Defense. In 2010, the original LACDL combined with the Louisiana Public Defenders Association with a unifying purpose: to preserve, protect and defend the Right to Counsel as created by the founding fathers and made part of the fundamental law of the United States and the State of Louisiana. Our mission is to promote a fair, accurate and humane criminal justice system through education, advocacy and the development of effective and professional defense lawyers. Our Purpose To protect and insure by rule of law those individual rights guaranteed by Louisiana and Federal Constitutions in criminal cases; To resist any efforts which are being made to curtail these rights; To encourage cooperation between lawyers engaged in the furtherance of these objectives through educational programs and other assistance; and through this cooperation, education and assistance to promote justice and the common good; To assist the courts, legislature, and law enforcement agencies in accomplishing their legitimate functions consistent with the rule of law and the protection of individual rights guaranteed by the Louisiana and United States Constitutions.