Justice Dept. To Launch Indigent Defense Program

[babylonsister]

Justice Dept. To Launch Indigent Defense Program

by Ari Shapiro
February 26, 2010


The U.S. criminal justice system typically pits defense lawyers against government prosecutors. Now, defense lawyers who represent poor clients are about to get some major help from their usual adversaries.

The Justice Department is on the verge of launching a new program to help low-income people receive legal help. It's called the Access to Justice initiative, and one of the top constitutional lawyers in the country is taking a leave of absence from Harvard to spearhead the project.

Although there has been no official announcement, a Justice spokesperson has confirmed the plans.

Professor Laurence Tribe of Harvard Law will begin work in Washington next week as senior counselor for Access to Justice. He will coordinate with judges and lawyers across the country with the goal of finding ways to help people who cannot afford a lawyer — a circumstance known in legal terms as indigent defense.

As he tries to improve indigent defense, Tribe will also look to programs outside of the criminal justice system, such as drug courts and mental health courts. He will work on issues related to criminal, civil and family courts.

more...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124094017&ft=1&f=1001