Massachusetts Bar Association President David W. White Jr. received the inaugural President’s Award from the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on June 11 for his leadership in the fight for meaningful sentencing reform.
MACDL recognized White for his commitment to the due process rights of those in the criminal justice system at the association’s Spring/Summer MACDL meeting at the Newton Marriott Hotel.
Since he began his term as president in September 2007, White has strongly advocated for Criminal Offender Record Information reform, the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences and creating greater opportunities for treatment, education/training and parole. White hosted the MBA’s Sentencing Symposium in the fall, testified at the Statehouse for CORI and sentencing reform and formed the Drug Policy Task Force to examine drug policy reforms.
"David has been a courageous and tireless advocate against the unduly harsh consequences of mandatory minimum sentences. He recognizes the importance of being smart on crime and not politicizing such a fundamentally important issue," said MACDL President Randy S. Chapman, former chair of both the MBA Criminal Justice and Judicial Administration sections. "For these efforts, we commend David and are honored to recognize him with the President’s Award."