California 2019 John R. Justice Program

Congress enacted the John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), codified at 34 U.S.C. 10671, and named for the late John Reid Justice of South Carolina, to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders and to continue in that service. The John R. Justice (JRJ) Student Loan Repayment Grant Program provides loan repayment assistance for local, state, and federal public defenders and local and state prosecutors who commit to extended employment in those roles. To administer this program, BJA will provide each of the 50 states, the territories, and the District of Columbia the opportunity to apply for formula funding to support a tuition and loan repayment program for eligible beneficiaries working within the state’s, territory's, or District’s jurisdiction.

These designated agencies shall establish and maintain a statewide JRJ Grant Program consistent with the guidance contained in this document and the Act and programmatic guidance provided by BJA. Once the state has received the grant award, the state administering agency is responsible for outreach, education, and solicitation of applications from eligible beneficiaries. The state will ensure grant funds for loan repayment are allocated fairly between prosecutors and public defenders, with a priority placed on those eligible beneficiaries who have the least ability to repay their loans.

NCA/NCF