Legis Daily

A bill to enforce the Sixth Amendment right to the assistance of effective counsel at all stages of the adversarial process, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide declaratory and injunctive relief against systemic violations of such right, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-328| Senate 
| Updated: 2/7/2017
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2017 This bill states that an indigent individual facing criminal prosecution or juvenile delinquency in a state court is entitled to the effective assistance of counsel, as guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments, at the state's expense. It authorizes a federal class action lawsuit against a state for its systemic failure to guarantee the right to effective assistance of counsel. The assistance of counsel is ineffective when a class of individuals demonstrates that counsel's performance was not reasonable under prevailing professional norms. Additionally, the bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to modify the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Specifically, it requires a state or local government to consult with public defenders before distributing JAG funds to community organizations and local governments.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 7, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Feb 7, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 9, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-968
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
  • February 7, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 7, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • March 9, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-968
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 115-968: To enforce the Sixth Amendment right to the assistance of effective counsel at all stages of the adversarial process, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide declaratory and injunctive relief against systemic violations of such right, and for other purposes.
Civil actions and liabilityConstitution and constitutional amendmentsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingJuvenile crime and gang violenceLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesLegal fees and court costsState and local courts

A bill to enforce the Sixth Amendment right to the assistance of effective counsel at all stages of the adversarial process, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide declaratory and injunctive relief against systemic violations of such right, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-328| Senate 
| Updated: 2/7/2017
Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2017 This bill states that an indigent individual facing criminal prosecution or juvenile delinquency in a state court is entitled to the effective assistance of counsel, as guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments, at the state's expense. It authorizes a federal class action lawsuit against a state for its systemic failure to guarantee the right to effective assistance of counsel. The assistance of counsel is ineffective when a class of individuals demonstrates that counsel's performance was not reasonable under prevailing professional norms. Additionally, the bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to modify the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Specifically, it requires a state or local government to consult with public defenders before distributing JAG funds to community organizations and local governments.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 7, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Feb 7, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 9, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-968
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
  • February 7, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 7, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • March 9, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-968
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 115-968: To enforce the Sixth Amendment right to the assistance of effective counsel at all stages of the adversarial process, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide declaratory and injunctive relief against systemic violations of such right, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityConstitution and constitutional amendmentsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingJuvenile crime and gang violenceLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesLegal fees and court costsState and local courts