The Defendant Aid Society is a non-profit legal aid organization providing advocacy services to individuals facing government authority at all stages of legal proceedings. Our work encompasses pre-trial consultation, trial defense, post-conviction relief, and preventative legal guidance for families and businesses.
While our mission addresses the full spectrum of defendant services, our current practice focuses significantly on assisting federal prison inmates and their families, including First Step Act and Second Chance Act calculations, administrative remedies, detainer resolution, habeas corpus petitions, and compassionate release motions. Learn more.
“You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man’s freedom.”
Clarence Darrow, Trial Attorney [1857-1938]
“There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.”
~ Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de la Bèrde et de Montesquieu, The Spirit of Law (1748)
The Defendant Aid Society operates as a national network of attorneys, paralegals, and volunteer advocates specializing in defense against government prosecution and administrative action.
Our services range from helping our clients obtain full attorney representation in federal court to comprehensive support for pro se litigants. We assist individuals and organizations with compliance consultation and constitutional protection guidance.
Our post-conviction practice focuses extensively on federal corrections law, where we provide access to attorney representation and also extensive pro se assistance for sentence calculations, administrative remedies, transfer requests, detainer issues, and federal court petitions under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241 and 2255, as well as compassionate release motions under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c).
We also provide practical support services including legal education, communication assistance, and advocacy coordination to address the comprehensive needs of incarcerated clients.
Our work addresses critical gaps in the legal landscape, particularly in federal corrections law where complexity often prevents effective self-representation.
We welcome participation from legal professionals, volunteers, and supporters who share our commitment to ensuring adequate defense representation throughout the criminal justice system.
For information about our work or to discuss potential collaboration, we invite you to contact our offices directly.
Our clients need advocates – in the broadest sense of the word. D.A.S. exists because standing up for freedom matters. You can help. This means, with a financial donation or by contributing your time and unique personal talents as a volunteer.
Fighting can makes a difference. Advocating for those who need help – is a core belief and value of our team. With passion, responsibility, and principled boundaries, the fight for freedom can be successful. There are those who cry for liberty, and there are those who can help accomplish it. You can join us as a D.A.S. volunteer.