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An excerpt from the letter sent out to organize PACDL
May 6, 1988
Dear Fellow Criminal Defense Lawyer:
More and more we and our clients are on the defensive in the courts, the legislature, the press, and even in our own offices. Currently, we have no unified voice with which to speak to the Courts, the state legislature, prosecutors, and the public.
An association of Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers is long overdue. In order to help achieve that goal, we need an organization that will regularly conduct seminars for the exchange of ideas on the latest defense techniques in Pennsylvania, that will publish a newsletter advising us of the most recent developments in legislation and case law, that will actively lobby in Harrisburg, that will assist us with amicus briefs where appropriate, that will maintain a brief bank for the benefit of individual defense lawyers, and that will provide speakers to local groups so that we may begin to educate the public about the importance of protecting their individual rights.
Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not yet have such a statewide association. We as criminal defense attorneys have a unique responsibility to protect and defend the precious rights guaranteed to all individuals by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions...
Because of who you are, and what you have stood for during your career, we need you to join us in this endeavor.
Very Truly Yours,
George Henry Newman, on behalf of:
Peter T. Campana; Dennis J. Clark; J. Richard Gray; Arthur T. Donato, Jr.; Robert J. Donatoni; and Bernard L. Siegel
