The New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (NMCDLA) provides support, education and training for attorneys who represent persons accused of crime. NMCDLA also advocates fair and effective criminal justice in the courts, the legislature and in the community. We are a voluntary professional association of public and private criminal defense lawyers, investigators, legal assistants and other criminal defense team members who stand together in their commitment to safeguard the constitutional guarantees of fairness in the criminal justice process. The NMCDLA also uses its voice in the community and in the legislature to advocate for equal, civil rights for all New Mexicans, to provide alternatives to incarceration and to keep the death penalty out of New Mexico. Our vision is a New Mexico where everyone accused of a crime has access to a fair and compassionate defense and where criminal defense lawyers have ample support to make this a reality.