On National Public Defender Day (March 18), the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) recognizes the vital work of public defense lawyers.
As provided in the Sixth Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
View the following resources and websites to learn how BJA is working to support programs and activities to help strengthen the Sixth Amendment:
- BJA’s Sixth Amendment Initiative: Strengthening the Constitutional Protections of the Accused
- Podcast: In Practice | Virtual Court: Barriers to Access and Fairness at Initial Appearances
- Protection of Constitutional Rights Under the Sixth Amendment
- Strengthening the Sixth
National Public Defender Day is March 18 | Bureau of Justice Assistance (ojp.gov)
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And if you have the USA today:
‘Invisible’ crisis: Public defenders still underfunded, understaffed 60 years after key SCOTUS ruling.
DOJ urges more help for understaffed, underfunded public defenders (usatoday.com)