The Justice Department’s Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) hosted this quarter’s convening with national public defense organizations on August 14, 2024. ATJ Director Rachel Rossi, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division, Administrator Liz Ryan of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent Cohen of the Office of Justice Programs, and Director Nancy La Vigne of the National Institute of Justice delivered remarks focused on youth defense.
Department officials reiterated their commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of youth, strengthening youth defense systems, and advancing public safety and trust. The convening brought together public defense and youth defense organizations to discuss key issues such as research and data needs, addressing racial disparities in the juvenile legal system, conditions of confinement, access to counsel for youth, and the necessity for specialized and independent youth defenders nationwide.
Officials highlighted recent programs and initiatives aimed at addressing access to justice issues within juvenile legal systems. ATJ supports indigent defense systems through its mandate to “plan, develop and coordinate the implementation of access to justice policy initiatives” and to “promote uniformity” in policies related to criminal indigent defense.
ATJ serves as the principal legal advisor for the department on constitutional rights guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment. It also acts as a liaison between the department and indigent defense organizations. In furtherance of its mission, ATJ hosts quarterly convenings directed by senior attorneys dedicated to supporting state and local public defense communities.
This quarterly meeting included leaders from The Gault Center, National Association of Public Defense, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and Georgetown Law’s Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative.
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