Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) is a membership association of criminal defense lawyers in Massachusetts that is an affiliate of the left-of-center National Association of Crimainal Defense Lawyers. ¹

MACDL affirms that the far-left concept of structural racism is conspicuous across the criminal justice system ² and has pledged to “dismantle” this supposed structural racism through efforts that include setting bail with a presumption of release. ³

In March 2024, President Joe Biden (D) nominated former MACDL board member Brian Murphy to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. ⁴

Organization

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) was founded in 1980. ¹ It is a membership organization of criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts that provides support to the criminal defense bar. MACDL is an affiliate of the left-of-center National Association of Crimainal Defense Lawyers. ¹

MACDL claims more than 1,000 members and is divided into four categories: regular members, law student members, honorary members, and associate members. Prosecutors are not eligible to join the organization. ⁵

MACDL consists of several committees, including a far-left racial justice committee to address what it considers “structural racism” in the Massachusetts court system. ⁶

As of May 2024, Jane Peachy is the president-elect of MACDL. Shira Diner was the most recent president of MACDL at that time. ⁷

Activities

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Laywers affirms that the far-left concept of structural racism is conspicuous across the criminal justice system. ² MACDL also has claimed that the United States has a history of “racism and oppression” and that the criminal justice system has perpetuated racism in the United States. MACDL has pledged to “dismantle oppression that black people endure” through efforts that include judges setting bail with a presumption of release based on concerns of the concept of institutional racism. ³

The association has called for judges to factor “how structural racism has impacted a defendant’s life” before issuing prison sentences,” ⁸ called for attorneys to explore racial bias in court cases, advocated that jurors should not be struck due to skepticism about police credibility, ² and opposed the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. ⁹

MACDL offers so-called racial justice resources, including various guides and materials on the far-left topics of anti-racism and implicit bias training. Materials as a part of these resources come from the left-of-center National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Public Radio, Medium, American Bar Association, Harvard University, Smithsonian Magazine, the New York Times, and others. MACDL also recommends engagement with the left-of-center Equal Justice Initiative, Race Matters Institute, Tools for Racial Justice, Movement for Black Lives, and the Police Use of Force Project. ¹⁰

Policy Advocacy

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers supports various left-of-center policy issues. It advocates for ending what it considers to be racial disparities and mass incarceration in the criminal justice system and has hired a lobbyist so support these priorities. ¹¹

MACDL supports the far-left Massachusetts Bail Fund, which has posted bail for more than 3600 offenders in Massachusetts. ^{12 13} In 2020, MACDL issued a strong endorsement of the Massachusetts Bail Fund after it paid a $15,000 fine for registered sex offender, Shawn McClinton, who was in jail awaiting trial on charges of rape. ^{8 14}

In March 2024, President Joe Biden nominated former MACDL board member Brian Murphy to serve in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. ⁴ In a statement supporting the nomination U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) called Murphy a “staunch and committed advocate” for the criminal justice system. ^{8 15}

Also in 2024, MACDL formed a committee to implement Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D)’s new clemency guideline system. ¹⁶

Funding

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers receives its funding frommembership dues and individual contributions. ¹⁷

In 2022, MACDL reported revenue of $65,236 and expenses of $43,935. ¹⁸ In 2021, MACDL reported revenue of $51,100 and expenses of $57,269. ¹⁹

1. “Massachusetts Legal Organizations.” Lawyer Legion. Accessed May 2, 2024. https://www.lawyerlegion.com/associations/state/massachusetts#:~:text=Massachusetts%20Association%20of%20Criminal%20Defense,state%20court%20serving%20the%20Commonwealth.
2. “Dismantling Structural Racims in the Commonwealth’s Criminal Courts.” MACDL. June 15, 2020. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/dismantle-structural-racism-courts/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3vZkGV0TRq-hXTfkw9AKOrzh-B3zC4QLMuCdg9LwwtCS9SdtdYBc4nqeo_aem_AXO_bHlzOX5T9kiAMW8GYVgnquvDJVX2tHPtOFafDeKA3cHdhM9MPo-EomfczgiC5YSD7xGqipxqScHQgBtfD9QY.
3. “Facebook Post.” MACDL Facebook Page. Posted May 31, 2020. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/MassACDL/posts/2983016248412427.
4. “President Biden Names Forty-Seventh Round of Judicial Nominees and Announces One New Nominee to Serve as U.S. Marshal.” The White House. March 20, 2024. Accessed May 5, 2024. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/20/president-biden-names-forty-seventh-round-of-judicial-nominees-and-announces-one-new-nominee-to-serve-as-u-s-marshal/.
5. “Mission.” Massachusetts Assocition of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Accessed May 2, 0224. https://macdl.com/about/#mission.
6. “Dismantling Structural Racism in the Commonwealth’s Criminal Courts.” MACDL. June 15, 2020. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/dismantle-structural-racism-courts/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3vZkGV0TRq-hXTfkw9AKOrzh-B3zC4QLMuCdg9LwwtCS9SdtdYBc4nqeo_aem_AXO_bHlzOX5T9kiAMW8GYVgnquvDJVX2tHPtOFafDeKA3cHdhM9MPo-EomfczgiC5YSD7xGqipxqScHQgBtfD9QY.
7. “MACDL Officers and Directors 2024-2025.” MACDL. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/about/.
8. Ross, Chuck. “Yet Another Biden Judicial Pick Has Ties to a Left-Wing, Anti-Cop Group.” Washington Free Beacon.  April 17, 2024. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://freebeacon.com/courts/yet-another-biden-judicial-pick-has-ties-to-a-left-wing-anti-cop-group/.
9. “MACDL Responds to Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health.” MACDL. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/dobbs-vs-jackson-womens-health/.
10. “Racial Justice Resources.” MACDL. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/racial-justice-resources/.
11. “Donate.” MACDL. Accessed May 2, 2024. https://macdl.com/donate/.
12. “MACDL Supports the Mass Bail Fund.” MACDL. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/macdl-supports-mass-bail-fund/.
13. “MACDL Supports the Mass Bail Fund.” Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://macdl.com/macdl-supports-mass-bail-fund/.
14. Daniel, Ted. “25 Investigates: Mass. Bail Fund helped free dozensfacing charges such as rape, assault and battery and disorderly conduct.” Boston 25 News. August 19, 2020. Accessed May 5, 2024. https://www.boston25news.com/news/25-investigates/25-investigates-mass-bail-fund-helped-free-dozens-facing-charges-such-rape-assault-battery-disorderly-conduct/WB3QC32F6JGLJDOZCBE62YXEME/.
15. “Warren, Markey Applaud Brian Murphy’s Nomination to U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.” Office of Senator Elizabeth Warren. March 20, 2024. Accessed May 6, 2024. https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-markey-applaud-brian-murphys-nomination-to-us-district-court-for-the-district-of-massachusetts.
16. Olson, Kris. “New committee aims to streamline use of recently released clemency guidelines.” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. March 8, 2024. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://archive.is/kjI3W.
17. “Mass Assoc of Criminal Defense Lawyers.” Short Form Return of oRganization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990EZ). 2022. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223234036/202321519349201017/full.
18.  “Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Inc.” Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990EZ). 2022. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223234036/202321519349201017/full.
19. Mass Assoc of Criminal Defense Lawyers.” Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990EZ). 2021. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223234036/202201599349200110/full.