Combating Overcriminalization We are at the forefront of the fight against mass incarceration. NACDL combats the criminalization of reproductive health, voting, and gender expression and identity, and stands against the misuse of the criminal legal system to target vulnerable communities.
NACDL Executive Director Lisa M. Wayne addresses attendees at the Pregnancy Criminalization Playbook: Maternal Healthcare on Trial summit on Dec. 5, 2025.
As state actors increasingly frame pregnancy outcomes as matters of criminal intent, defense attorneys are tasked with challenging these prosecutions in a legal landscape where medical science is often distorted, evidentiary standards are unevenly applied, and outdated forensic tools are still admissible. NACDL equips defenders to counteract prosecutorial overreach, ensure access to medical expertise, and advocate for systemic reform. NACDL supports lawyers defending cases — ranging from child endangerment to homicide — brought against individuals for conduct related to pregnancy outcomes.
14 BUILDING A COMMUNITY FOR JUSTICE
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