American Council of Chief Defenders

American Council of Chief Defenders: By Chiefs. For Chiefs 

Strengthening public defense through leadership and collaboration 

The American Council of Chief Defenders (ACCD) brings together chief and deputy chief public defenders from across the country to exchange ideas, address complex challenges and strengthen public defense leadership. 

As an NLADA practice section, ACCD connects leaders from diverse indigent defense systems, including public defender offices, assigned counsel systems and contract systems. 

About ACCD 

ACCD is a national community dedicated to advancing a fair justice system and ensuring quality legal representation for people facing criminal charges or a loss of liberty. 

Our work centers on: 

• Defender independence 

• Resource parity 

• High-quality legal representation 

• Sound public policy 

• Leadership and peer collaboration 

ACCD's mission is to secure a fair justice system by advocating sound public policy and ensuring quality legal representation for indigent people facing a loss of liberty or accused of a crime. 

What ACCD offers 

ACCD is designed by public defense leaders who understand the realities of leading an office. Our activities create opportunities for members to learn from peers, address shared challenges, and strengthen their leadership. We focus on:

• Peer Learning and Collaboration 

• Leadership Development 

• Policy Advocacy

• Professional Support 

Leadership & Advisory Group Membership Calendar Statements