Dear Defender—

It is my privilege to invite you to renew your membership in the California Public Defenders Association. And it is a privilege.

We are making a difference every day throughout the state. As you know, what we do is more than just a job. It takes a special kind of person to be a criminal defense attorney; it takes someone that is dedicated to making the criminal justice system fairer for everyone. And sometimes one can feel that the job is nearly impossible, but we can always take solace that there are many others who are fighting along with us. That is why I am asking you to renew your membership in the California Public Defenders Association.

Your membership in CPDA allows us to do many things with you and for you, including the following:

Sponsor numerous MCLE-accredited seminars throughout the state with top-notch speakers and at reasonable prices. These seminars provide specialized training in various areas including the death penalty, DUI, juvenile delinquency and dependency, and scientific evidence, and well as training in the skills that we use every day representing our clients.

Be a powerful and united voice influencing the California State Legislature by sponsoring bills promoting justice and fairness, employing a legislative advocate who represents our concerns before the appropriate committees, and having a legislative committee that continuously challenges the forces that would further erode our constitutional liberties.

Actively and Aggressively Monitor Appellate Issues through our Amicus committee, filing dozens of briefs in the Appellate Courts and the Supreme Court on issues important to the defense community and our clients.

Create the most comprehensive legal research database in the world. The CLARAWEB motions bank (containing over 12,000 motions, briefs, and practice articles for “creative borrowing” of ideas), CLARALAW (a searchable CD ROM library of statutes and case law, also accessible on the internet), and CLARANET (an on-line computerized research and email system focused on issues of note.) These materials enhance the daily practice of public defenders and private counsel throughout the state.

CPDA is the largest statewide criminal defense organization in the country, with over 4,000 members. And we’re still growing. But we need your support to keep CPDA strong and to continue to make it possible for us to keep up the fight.

For all of these reasons, and for more that you can probably name, I’m asking you to take a few minutes right now to renew your membership in the California Public Defenders Association.  We are grateful for your commitment to our noble profession and for your past support of the great work that CPDA does. However, the work of CPDA is never really done, and we need your continual support. If you can, please consider becoming a Sustaining Member by making a contribution of $125 or more.

Thank you.

Jose Varela
President, California Public Defenders Association

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Membership Payment Options - On Line Payment or Download the Membership Invoice Form:

1. CPDA Membership dues on line now - $110.00 - Pay On Line Now.

2. CPDA Membership dues + and additonal $15.00 in support of the CPDA legislative program. Pay On Line Now..

3. Contributing Member Rate of $125.00 - Pay On Line Now.

4. Patron Membership Level of $250 - Pay On Line Now.

5. Download the CPDA Membership invoice form...print and fill it out and fax it in.

California Public Defenders Association (CPDA)
10324 Placer Lane, Suite 100 Sacramento, California 95827
Telephone: 916 362 1686
General Internet E-Mail Address: cpda@cpda.org
Webmaster E-Mail: webmaster@cpda.org