2022 JRJ Grant for ME

JRJ Grant program

                                                                                                                                Office of the Attorney General, Maine

                                                                                                                                Project Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT

            The Maine Prosecutor’s Association (MPA) John R. Justice (JRJ) Grant Program encourage qualified prosecutors to continue in state service or choose careers in state service, and who agree to remain in that service for at least three years. 

            The Association has been in existence for over 40 years, but was formally incorporated in Maine on December 3, 2000 as a public benefit corporation to promote and improve criminal prosecution and the criminal justice system in the State of Maine.  Membership is to all District Attorneys, the Attorney General, all Deputy or Assistant District Attorneys, and all Deputy or Assistant Attorneys General assigned to the Criminal Division or the Economic Crimes Division of the Attorney General’s office. Pursuant to its by-laws (Article VIII, section 5) the Association may accept and federal funds for the general purpose or any special purpose of the Association in connection with the improvement of the criminal justice system in Maine.

Due to Maine’s unique system of court-appointed private criminal defense counsel and the absence of a public defender system,  there are no eligible public defenders in Maine and Maine has applied for and obtained a waiver from the equal allocation program requirement during each of the previous years of the program, and is seeking a waiver again this year.

The breakdown of prosecutors to public defenders is:

FY 09

FY 22

Prosecutors

86

104

Public Defenders

0

0

Federal Public Defenders

3

4

            In late 2022, or early 2023, Maine will have a fledgling Public Defender’s Office with 5 attorneys.  These attorneys have not been hired yet and may not be hired until the 2023 Grant is released.

Award determinations will be based on program parameters established in law and by the United States Department of Justice, which applicants receive funding.  The priority will be given to applicants with the least ability to repay their loans.  15 applicants will be selected.

            One hundred percent (100%) of the grant award will be used to provide student loan relief.