Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association - Home Page JOIN NOW. Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association The Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association was formed to promote study and research in the field of criminal defense law and the related areas to disseminate by lecture seminars and publications the advance of the knowledge of the law as it relates to the field of criminal defense practice to promote the proper administration of justice to foster maintain and encourage the integrity independence and expertise of the defense lawyer in criminal cases and to foster periodic meetings of the defense lawyers and to provide a forum for the material exchange of information regarding the administration of criminal justice and thereby concern itself with the protection of individual rights and the improvement of criminal law its practice and procedures. MCDAAs membership includes both attorneys and associated professionals throughout Maryland. Membership is vital to support a number of MCDAAs programs and initiatives throughout the year.