The True Justice Act of 2025 authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states, local governments, and public defender offices to improve legal representation for people in criminal court proceedings following arrest, including at their initial appearance. The bill also provides grant funding for training public defenders and court-appointed attorneys on best practices for defending individuals in these early stages of criminal cases. Grant amounts will be determined based on each entity's costs for technology and training, as well as the size of their justice system relative to others in their state or region. The legislation authorizes $50 million in funding annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to support these grant programs. The bill reflects Congress's view that the constitutional right to legal counsel—established by the Supreme Court in the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright case—applies to all proceedings that occur after an arrest.
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