Category Archives: Dept. of Justice

NY Quality of Counsel Settlment May be Template for National Reform

Posted on October 26, 2014 by richardzorza

This blog has been following the New York quality of defense counsel case.  Last week, perhaps in part because of the filing of a statement of interest by US DOJ, the parties, just before trial, have come to a proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Criminal Law, Defender Programs, Dept. of Justice | 1 Comment

What Does it Mean that DOJ Has Filed a Statement of Interest in NY Right to Quality Counsel Case?

Posted on October 8, 2014 by richardzorza

As folks should know by now, the US DOJ has filed a “Statement of Interest” in the ongoing New York State case about the quality of indigent defense services. While taking no formal position on the merits of the case, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Criminal Law, Dept. of Justice, Public Defender | Comments Off on What Does it Mean that DOJ Has Filed a Statement of Interest in NY Right to Quality Counsel Case?

BOA Settlement To Include Money for IOLTA Programs

Posted on August 21, 2014 by richardzorza

I suspect that all the readers of this blog cheered todays story that the Bank of America has been forced to agree to a $16.5 billion settlement with DOJ for its mortgage shenanigans (NYT). (DOJ Press Release) Some might might have … Continue reading →

Posted in Dept. of Justice, Funding, IOLTA | 1 Comment

That Deborah Leff is to Run the Pardon Office and The Expanded Clemency Program Highlights Importance of ATJ in Federal Government

Posted on April 24, 2014 by richardzorza

The DOJ plan to expand access to clemency to “nonviolent felons who have served at least 10 years in prison and who would have received significantly lower prison terms if convicted under today’s more lenient sentencing laws” as the Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Law, Dept. of Justice, White House | Comments Off on That Deborah Leff is to Run the Pardon Office and The Expanded Clemency Program Highlights Importance of ATJ in Federal Government

The Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable Toolkit is a Major Breakthrough

Posted on April 16, 2014 by richardzorza

Before the establishment of the Access to Justice Initiative within DOJ, Federal funding for community based — indeed all — legal aid was basically limited to LSC, with maybe odds and ends, usually through state routes, for senior services and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dept. of Justice, Funding, LSC, White House | 1 Comment

April 8 – Another Important Day for Access at the White House

Posted on April 9, 2014 by richardzorza

It’s becoming a wonderful tradition.  A White House Forum on Increasing Access to Justice, at which the administration’s commitment to access to justice is highlighted, hardworking partners are honored, and stakeholders get to network about future ideas. I plan to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dept. of Justice, Funding, Legal Aid, White House | 5 Comments

DOJ Day Highlights Integration of ATJ and LEP Approaches

Posted on March 4, 2014 by richardzorza

On Friday at the Department of Justice, the Civil Rights Division launched its Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool.  While the tool itself, introduced with great skill by Deeana Jang, Chief, Federal Coordination and Compliance Section,Civil Rights Division, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Court Management, Dept. of Justice, Judicial Ethics, LEP, Meetings | 1 Comment

Greater DOJ Inlolvement in Defense Services Issues Gets Attention

Posted on September 8, 2013 by richardzorza

The intervention by the Department of Justice in the quality of indigent defense services — very much a first from this administration — is getting deserved praise.  NPR had a story: . . . an unprecedented recent court filing from … Continue reading →

Posted in Dept. of Justice, Funding, Public Defender | Comments Off on Greater DOJ Inlolvement in Defense Services Issues Gets Attention

The Access to Justice Vision Was Articulated Almost 50 Years Ago By Attorneys General Kennedy and Katzenbach.

Posted on May 28, 2013 by richardzorza

As we celebrate that we have an Access to Justice Initiative at DOJ, we should remember that almost 50 years ago the access vision was articulated by two US Attorneys General – and that it was a comprehensive vision remarkably … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Dept. of Justice | 6 Comments

What a Day at the White House!

Posted on April 17, 2013 by richardzorza

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 →

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

Thoughts After the Gideon Fifty Year Anniversay Gathering at DOJ

Posted on March 16, 2013 by richardzorza

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 | Comments Off on Thoughts After the Gideon Fifty Year Anniversay Gathering at DOJ

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

Posted on February 21, 2013 by richardzorza

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 →

Posted in Dept. of Justice, LEP | Comments Off on DOJ Seeks Comments on Draft Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool for Courts

What We Need Now at DOJ

Posted on November 28, 2012 by richardzorza

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 →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Dept. of Justice | Comments Off on What We Need Now at DOJ

Guide to VISTA for Legal Aid Programs

Posted on July 21, 2012 by richardzorza

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 | Comments Off on Guide to VISTA for Legal Aid Programs

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

Posted on June 29, 2012 by richardzorza

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