Category Archives: Dept. of Justice

What a Day at the White House!

Yesterday, Tuesday, was a White House Forum on Increasing Access to Justice in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.  LSC and the White House were the co-hosts.  Some of the highlights for me — all showing what a different time this … Continue reading

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Thoughts After the Gideon Fifty Year Anniversay Gathering at DOJ

I was privileged to be invited to be at the gathering yesterday at the Dept of Justice to mark the 50th anniversay of Gideon v. Wainright.  The gathering was organized by the Access to Justice Initiative of DOJ.  Among those … Continue reading

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Criminal Law, Defender Programs, Dept. of Justice, Supreme Court | Leave a comment

DOJ Seeks Comments on Draft Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool for Courts

Comments on a Draft Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool for Courts are being sought by the Department of Justice. The draft from DOJ is here. Comments are due by March 1. 2013. The draft includes sections and checklists … Continue reading

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What We Need Now at DOJ

With the election over, its time to reflect on what kind of person we need to take on the crucial mantle of Larry Tribe and Mark Childress at the DOJ Access Initiative.  Its a very important job, and needs a … Continue reading

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Guide to VISTA for Legal Aid Programs

This is nice.  As posed on the DOJ Access Initiative website, DOJ in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service has issued a Guide to Vista for Legal Aid Programs. From the Guide: Vistas Helping with Technology: Minnesota … Continue reading

Posted in Dept. of Justice, Funding, Legal Aid | Leave a comment

Changes in Byrne Grant Program Create New Openings for Defenders and Courts

The 2012 solicitation time for Byrne Grants is over (link here.) But I think it is important to highlight some very significant changes, which, given the inertia built into government systems, are likely to stay in place, and to provide … Continue reading

Posted in Court Management, Defender Programs, Dept. of Justice, Funding | 2 Comments

LSC Access to Justice Technology Summit — Inspiring Launch of A Process

The first part of the LSC Summit on Technology and Access to Justice took place last week.  I think it is appropriate for me to pass on to the community some very personal and impressionistic non-specific highlights. First, it was … Continue reading

Posted in Court Management, Dept. of Justice, LSC, Systematic Change, Technology | 4 Comments

NYT Blog on OMB Memo — “The Dawn of the Evidence-Based Budget” — Implications and Ideas

The Times has a fascinating blog starting with a discussion of a recent OMB memo requiring federal agencies in their 2014 budget planning to build in use of evidence and a focus on low-cost evaluations. As the Memo puts it: … Continue reading

Posted in Dept. of Justice, LSC, Research and Evalation | 3 Comments

Access to Justice as a Bipartisan Issue

As the election heats up, it is important to note that access to justice is a bipartisan issue. While obviously there are significant differences of perspective between the parties on matters of funding, particularly for LSC, in many states, support … Continue reading

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Department of Justice and Office of Child Support (HHS) Anounce Webcast Forum on Turner v. Rogers on June 20

I am proud that I will be part of a live and streamed Forum on Turner, on its first anniversary. Here is the announcement: Turner v. Rogers Anniversary Forum:  Fundamental Fairness and the Ability to Pay in Child Support Proceedings … Continue reading

Posted in Access to Counsel, Dept. of Justice, Judicial Ethics, Self-Help Services | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Interesting Points in DOJ Language Access Letter to North Carolina Courts

The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has sent a letter to the North Carolina Courts as part of its investgatory and enforcment process with respect to Language access.  The letter and accompanying materials are here. (Hereafter letter.  … Continue reading

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Dept. of Justice, LEP | Tagged | 1 Comment

Larry Tribe on Colbert Report Tonight

Is there any better an argument (is there any other argument?) for having cable than this. Larry Tribe on the Colbert Report From the Colbert News Hub: To start the week, Stephen welcomes one of the country’s most esteemed legal … Continue reading

Posted in Dept. of Justice | Tagged | 1 Comment

FLASH: Politico Reporting DOJ Initiative Head Moves to White House as a Deputy Chief of Staff

Here is the Politico story. It’s surely mixed news.  On the one hard, the DOJ Access Initiative, which has done so much to broaden the sense of possibility for access in Washington, loses a highly effective, well liked, and well … Continue reading

Posted in Dept. of Justice | Tagged | 2 Comments

Rothberger Conference Videos — Clear Explanation of Research and Implications

Thanks to the University of Colorado Law School for posting the videos from the Rothgerber Conference last November. There’s lots of good stuff, but no one has time to watch hours and hours of video, so I would encourage you … Continue reading

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Some Analysis of the New Language Access Standards

As previously blogged, the agreement between CCJ/COSCA and the Language Access Group of SCLAID is a major milestone for access (Revised Standards here; CCJ/COSCA Resolution here).  Having the courts on the same page as language access advocates changes the whole … Continue reading

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