True Justice Act of 2025

This bill establishes a new grant program administered by the Attorney General to enhance legal representation for individuals in judicial proceedings following an arrest. It specifically targets the critical period after an arrest, including the initial appearance, to ensure individuals have access to counsel. The program authorizes two types of grants: Public Defender Services Grants and Public Defender Training Grants . Services grants would fund legal representation provided by states, local governments, and public defender offices, while training grants would support best practices training for public defenders, court-appointed, and contract attorneys. When determining grant amounts, the Attorney General would consider the cost of necessary technology and training, as well as the size of the justice system served by the applicant. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these initiatives. Furthermore, it includes a Sense of Congress affirming that the constitutional right to counsel applies to all post-arrest proceedings, underscoring the bill's commitment to upholding this fundamental right.