Justice for All – Effective Administration of Criminal Justice TTA - Right to Counsel

The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) will the funds to continue the integrated training and technical assistance (TTA) program that provides 21st century support centered on equitable access to counsel. NLADA offers a collaborative approach to develop and manage a robust TTA strategy for state and local governments and their agents responsible for ensuring the protection of constitutional rights under the Sixth Amendment. NLADA will ensure the collection and dissemination of research-based, data-driven information and resources, and build collaboration across the criminal justice system This program will employ three integrated approaches: 1) in-depth TTA to four to eight sites designed to improve access to counsel in rural areas and legal deserts; 2) on-demand TTA assistance through an online community portal with access to a curated library of tools and resources, synchronous and asynchronous learning technology, and a moderated private community space for program cohorts; and 3) racial equity centered TTA to address barriers in access to counsel that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) will continue the integrated training and technical assistance (TTA) program that provides 21st-century support centered on equitable access to counsel for an additional year. NLADA offers a collaborative approach to develop and manage a robust TTA strategy for state and local governments and their agents responsible for ensuring the protection of constitutional rights under the Sixth Amendment. NLADA will ensure the collection and dissemination of research-based, data-driven information and resources, and build collaboration across the criminal justice system. This twelve-month program will include intensive strategic planning and customized TTA to support significant enhancements to protect the requirements of the Sixth Amendment to additional sites; on-demand TTA to include an assessment of state or local court practices in protecting Sixth Amendment rights with recommendations for improvement, engaging partners at the state and local levels; developing a minimum of two publications on emerging and trending public defense issues; and providing support to jurisdictions seeking funding to develop and/or implement indigent defense strategies and associated TTA through microgrant subawards that prioritize project sites that have previously worked or are currently working with Sixth Amendment TTA providers on developing and implementing their strategic plans.