To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to strengthen the provision of legal representation to individuals in judicial proceedings that take place after the individual has been arrested in connection with a criminal offense, including at initial appearance.
The True Justice Act of 2024 authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states, local governments, and public defender offices to improve legal representation for people in court proceedings after arrest, including at their initial appearance. The bill also establishes a separate grant program to train public defenders and court-appointed attorneys on best practices for representing defendants in these early court stages. Grants will be distributed based on factors including the cost of technology and training needed and the relative size of each jurisdiction's justice system. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to fund these grant programs. The bill reflects Congress's position that the constitutional right to legal counsel, established in the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright case, applies to all proceedings that occur after someone is arrested.
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