arrow_back Back to App

Improving Access to Legal Defense and Supporting Public Defenders

This act aims to strengthen the right to a fair trial by improving access to legal defense for individuals accused in criminal cases. It provides financial incentives for states and local governments to collect data on public defender workloads, establish workload limits, and ensure fair compensation, ultimately leading to better quality legal services for citizens.
Key points
Increased availability and quality of legal defense: States and local governments will receive funds to improve public defender services, meaning accused individuals will have better access to competent legal assistance.
Fair compensation for public defenders: The act seeks to equalize public defender salaries with prosecutors, aiming to attract more lawyers to public defense and reduce staff turnover.
Improved working conditions for defenders: Implementing workload limits for public defenders is intended to ensure they have sufficient time to adequately prepare for each case, directly impacting the quality of legal representation for citizens.
Support for education and student loan repayment: Increased funding for public defender training programs and higher student loan repayment limits are designed to attract and retain talented lawyers in public defense.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_9325
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Process start date: 2022-11-17
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

EQUAL Defense Act of 2022

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_9325.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2022-11-17.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Increased availability and quality of legal defense: States and local governments will receive funds to improve public defender services, meaning accused individuals will have better access to competent legal assistance.
  • Fair compensation for public defenders: The act seeks to equalize public defender salaries with prosecutors, aiming to attract more lawyers to public defense and reduce staff turnover.
  • Improved working conditions for defenders: Implementing workload limits for public defenders is intended to ensure they have sufficient time to adequately prepare for each case, directly impacting the quality of legal representation for citizens.
  • Support for education and student loan repayment: Increased funding for public defender training programs and higher student loan repayment limits are designed to attract and retain talented lawyers in public defense.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2026-01-02.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law