Read About the Right to Counsel in an OJP Blog Post Written by Acting Assistant Attorney General Hanson

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) recently published the blog post “Promoting Justice for All,” authored by Acting Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Alan Hanson, on the importance of the right to counsel. In the OJP Blog, Acting AAG Hanson emphasizes the necessity of protecting and improving the fundamental right to counsel guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, calling it “the foundation of true justice.”

Acting AAG Hanson praises the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Right to Council National Campaign, among other Department of Justice and OJP offices and programs, for their efforts to ensure that the right to counsel is honored “in spirit and practice.” These efforts include:

• Bringing together researchers and practitioners to test effective defense strategies in the criminal justice system;
• Providing funding and support to improve access to high-quality juvenile defense; and
• Supporting training and technical assistance related to strategic planning, as well as policy and reform implementation, at the state and local levels.

To learn more, read the full OJP blog post.