Pleading the Sixth: With a resolution adopted at its 2014 Annual Meeting, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) together have endorsed the proposed legislation to create a National Center for the Right…
Tag: federal
U.S. House unanimously passes resolution supporting the right to counsel
“The first step towards solving any problem is acknowledging one exists,” stated Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21), speaking November 13, 2013, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of House Resolution 196, Supporting the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution, the right…
National Center for the Right to Counsel bill entered in U.S. House
Pleading the Sixth: On October 30, 2013, U.S. Representative Ted Deutch entered a bill to create a federally funded National Center for the Right to Counsel to aid states in meeting their constitutional obligations under Gideon. Though a national center providing…
Attorney General Holder calls on Congress to help remedy national indigent defense crisis
Pleading the Sixth: On August 12, 2013, United States Attorney General Eric Holder issued a nationwide challenge to overhaul our “broken” criminal justice system. Bold steps are needed to ensure equal justice, the Attorney General declared, including expanded Congressional right…
U.S. Senator Leahy introduces Gideon’s Promise Act
Pleading the Sixth: In honor of the 50th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, Sen. Patrick Leahy introduced a new bill – the Gideon’s Promise Act – to give the U.S. Department of Justice authorization to sue states, counties and attorneys…
Understanding the GAO Report on Indigent Defense
Pleading the Sixth: On May 9, 2012, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report on the right to counsel in America. According to the GAO, only a very small percentage of federal funding dedicated to enhancing state…
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