National Advocacy Center (NAC) Training Program

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) will improve the functioning of the criminal justice system by providing state and local prosecutor training and technical assistance under the auspices of the National Advocacy Center. NDAA will provide trial advocacy and topic-specific training and technical assistance to state and local prosecutors thereby enhancing their trial skills and delivery techniques and positively impacting the criminal justice system. This goal involves recognition that the exercise of discretion by prosecutors in areas of criminal justice from arrest to disposition is key to the proper functioning of the criminal justice system. A collateral result is that by fine tuning the trial advocacy skills of state and local prosecutors, they are able to attain the level of competence required to compete with defense techniques, defense challenges, juror biases, expert witness roadblocks and avoid unnecessary reversals and invalidations of convictions on appeal. The project will deliver prosecutor education through courses, a conference, technical assistance, and distance education.

NCA/NCF