PACDL - Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

08/31/2026

Hiring? Post Your Vacancy on PACDL’s New Job Board! If your public defender office or law firm is hiring, we encourage you to get the word out through the PACDL Job Board.

Whether you’re looking for an attorney, public defender, investigator, paralegal, or other legal professional, the PACDL Job Board gives you a place to reach members of Pennsylvania’s criminal defense community.

Posting is easy! And it is still free if you post before September 15. We have created an Employer Guide that walks you through the process step-by-step and makes getting started simple.
https://www.pacdl.org/files/PACDL%20Job%20Board%20Employer%20Guide%20Final%207_28_26.pdf

Prefer to have PACDL post it for you? No problem. Just send us the relevant information, including:

• Position title
• Job description and responsibilities
• Location/work arrangement
• Salary or compensation information
• Contact person
• Application process or application link
• Application deadline
• Any other information applicants should know

We’ll take it from there.

Have an opening? Don’t wait—get your vacancy in front of qualified candidates through the PACDL Job Board.

Contact PACDL at [email protected] if you’d like assistance posting your position.

08/27/2026

PACDL Job Board Is Open! Looking to hire a criminal defense attorney, public defender, legal professional, or support staff? The PACDL Job Board is a great place to reach Pennsylvania’s criminal defense community.

Special offer: Job postings uploaded before September 15 are FREE! For more information go to www.pacdl.org and click on the Job Board tab.

If you’ve been meaning to post an opening, now is the time. Take advantage of the free posting period and get your opportunity in front of PACDL members and followers.

Having trouble loading your job posting? Contact PACDL—we’re happy to help.

Check out our Employer Guide for step-by-step instructions on creating and managing your job posting:
https://www.pacdl.org/files/PACDL%20Job%20Board%20Employer%20Guide%20Final%207_28_26.pdf

08/26/2026

PACDL's For The Defense coming to your inbox on September 8. Don't Miss It!

08/14/2026

DOJ Reorganizes Its White Collar Enforcement Efforts

The U.S. Department of Justice has renamed its longtime Fraud Section the White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section, a seemingly modest change that may signal a larger shift in federal enforcement priorities.

The move follows the creation of DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, which has taken over a significant portion of the former Fraud Section’s personnel and responsibilities, particularly matters involving fraud against government programs and taxpayer funds.

The newly renamed section is expected to concentrate more heavily on financial and corporate misconduct involving private interests. Its work will continue to include areas such as securities and investment fraud, insider trading, sophisticated online scams, corporate crime, foreign bribery, and certain health and safety-related offenses.

The Fraud Section has played a prominent role in federal white collar enforcement for decades. Its prosecutors have developed specialized expertise in complex economic crimes and have frequently worked alongside U.S. Attorneys’ Offices on major investigations and prosecutions around the country.

The restructuring raises an important question for defense counsel: Is DOJ simply changing the sign on the door, or is it drawing a new line between government-program fraud and the broader world of white collar and corporate crime?

For criminal defense attorneys handling federal white collar matters, this is a development worth watching.

08/04/2026

PACDL Connects Criminal Defense Professionals with Meaningful Job Opportunities

PACDL launched its Job Board today! It is Pennsylvania's dedicated employment resource for the criminal defense community. Designed exclusively for criminal law professionals.

Whether you are hiring for a public defender office, private criminal defense practice, appellate office, or other criminal defense-related position, the PACDL Job Board provides a trusted, focused platform that reaches professionals committed to criminal law.

Employers can:
Post job openings quickly through an easy self-service platform
Choose 30-, 60-, or 90-day listing options
Edit listings at any time
Include detailed position descriptions, salary information, and application instructions
Reach attorneys and legal professionals actively practicing in criminal law

Job Seekers can:
Browse current criminal defense employment opportunities
Search positions throughout Pennsylvania
Apply directly to employers
Explore opportunities with law firms, public defender offices, nonprofit organizations, and other criminal justice employers

Go to the Job Board tab on www.pacdl.org to see the recent job posts like those from Centre County Public Defender Office. Free posts are available to PACDL members now through September 15.

07/23/2026

Share Your Knowledge. Build Your Reputation. Write for PACDL's For The Defense.

PACDL is now accepting article submissions for the December 2026 issue of For The Defense, its quarterly magazine dedicated to Pennsylvania criminal defense practitioners.

Have a recent case analysis, emerging legal issue, trial strategy, evidentiary challenge, legislative update, or practice tip that would benefit your colleagues? We'd love to hear from you.

Article Deadline: October 15, 2026

Before you begin writing, please contact PACDL with your proposed topic and article slant so we can ensure it doesn't overlap with other articles already planned for the December issue.

Articles are generally 2–4 pages, although we're happy to discuss submissions of different lengths.

Why publish in For The Defense?
✔️ Demonstrate your knowledge and experience to colleagues across Pennsylvania.
✔️ Enhance your professional reputation and visibility.
✔️ Contribute to the advancement of criminal defense practice.
✔️ Help educate and mentor fellow criminal defense lawyers.
✔️ Build your professional résumé and publication credentials.
✔️ Establish yourself as a thought leader in your practice area.

Whether you're a seasoned author or considering writing your first article, we encourage you to share your insights with the PACDL community.

To discuss your article idea or reserve a topic, contact PACDL today. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in the December issue of For The Defense!

07/22/2026

Landmark Victory for Privacy Rights in Pennsylvania

In Punxsutawney Hunting Club v. Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overruled nearly two decades of precedent and held that Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution provides greater protection against warrantless searches of private land than the Fourth Amendment. In doing so, the Court overturned Commonwealth v. Russo and concluded that most provisions authorizing warrantless entry onto private posted property by Game Commission officers are unconstitutional.

This decision is about far more than hunting clubs. It reinforces a fundamental principle that has long distinguished Pennsylvania constitutional law: our state constitution often provides greater protections for individual liberty and privacy than the federal Constitution.

For criminal defense lawyers, Punxsutawney will be an important case in suppression litigation. It strengthens Article I, Section 8 as an independent source of constitutional protection and provides another reminder that Pennsylvania courts will not simply mirror federal Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.

PACDL is especially proud to recognize Len Sosnov and Aaron Marcus of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, who authored PACDL's amicus brief in the case. Their brief argued that Article I, Section 8 protects Pennsylvanians' "possessions" more broadly than the Fourth Amendment protects "effects," and that government officials should not have unfettered authority to enter and search private land without constitutional justification.

Congratulations to Len, Aaron, and everyone whose advocacy helped secure this important victory for privacy rights and Pennsylvania's independent constitutional jurisprudence.

PACDL is proud to have participated in this case. This decision is another reminder that thoughtful appellate advocacy—and well-crafted amicus briefs—can shape the development of Pennsylvania constitutional law for years to come. If you have an interest in serving on PACDL's Amicus Committee, please contact PACDL.

07/20/2026

Federal U.S. District Judge Warns DOJ After AI-Generated Citation Appears in Court Filing

The growing use of generative artificial intelligence in legal practice continues to draw judicial scrutiny, this time involving the U.S. Department of Justice.

In Daghra v. Hinkley, Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou of the Western District of Michigan admonished government counsel after a filing cited what appeared to be a nonexistent Sixth Circuit decision. According to the court, the cited opinion could not be located in any legal database. The court concluded that the citation "was likely produced by generative artificial intelligence."

Although Judge Jarbou declined to impose sanctions, the Judge issued a pointed reminder that attorneys—not AI—remain responsible for the accuracy of every filing submitted to the court.

"It should be obvious that any attorney who uses AI must scrupulously review its work product to ensure that the cited cases exist and that the citations accurately and fairly represent the underlying case law. The duty of candor towards this tribunal demands no less."

Daghra v. Hinkley, No. 1:26-cv-01429 (W.D. Mich. July 16, 2026).

07/17/2026

Check out the June 2026 issue of For The Defense!

The latest issue of PACDL's quarterly digital magazine is packed with timely, practical articles written by experienced criminal defense practitioners and other leaders to help you stay ahead of emerging issues and sharpen your practice.

This issue includes:

Commonwealth v. Walker – A look at the latest developments and their impact on criminal practice.

A Practical Guide to Expanding the Effectiveness of Your Noncitizen Criminal Defense Practice – Practical strategies for representing noncitizen clients.

Early Termination of Probation Under Act 44 – What every defense lawyer should know about seeking early relief for clients.

Expanding Your Firm's Relevance with AI – Practical ways to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into your law practice.

Denaturalization: A Growing Enforcement Priority – Understanding the legal landscape and the implications for criminal defense counsel.

Along with these feature articles, you'll find additional insights and updates designed specifically for Pennsylvania criminal defense attorneys.

Take a few minutes to explore the latest issue and discover practical ideas you can put to work in your practice today.

📚 Read the June issue of For The Defense: https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/PACDL/FORTHEDEFENSE_vol11_issue2_2026/index.php

What article sparked the most discussion in your firm?

Experience our interactive, profoundly engaging digital publication!

07/15/2026

Beyond the Prison Tray

What happens inside our correctional facilities doesn't stay there.

Nutrition during incarceration affects physical health, mental well-being, successful reentry, and ultimately the communities people return to. Yet it's an issue that's too often overlooked.

In the June 2026 issue of For The Defense, Sandy Sherman and Wayne Williams examine Inside Out: Returning to Health, an innovative program from The Food Trust that equips incarcerated individuals with practical nutrition education, healthier food strategies, and job skills that support successful reentry.

For criminal defense lawyers, the article also highlights an important advocacy issue: ensuring clients have access to adequate nutrition and healthy conditions that allow them to meaningfully participate in their defense.

Food is more than sustenance—it is health, dignity, and an opportunity to build a stronger future. Read "Inside Out: Returning to Health" in the June 2026 issue of For The Defense.

Here is the link: https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/PACDL/FORTHEDEFENSE_vol11_issue2_2026/index.php #/p/18