Bills · S 1102
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1102Crime and Law Enforcement
Quality Defense Act of 2025
INTRO MAR 25· LAST ACTION MAR 25
READING
13MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a fundamental fairness issue in the American justice system: the right to legal counsel for those who cannot afford it. Many public defender offices across the country are underfunded and overburdened, leading to concerns about the quality of defense and whether constitutional rights are fully protected. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more equitable justice outcomes by strengthening public defense services, particularly for vulnerable populations like juveniles.
By incentivizing data collection, the bill aims to bring more transparency to public defense operations, allowing for evidence-based improvements. If it doesn't pass, existing disparities in legal representation based on a person's income could continue or worsen, potentially leading to wrongful convictions, longer sentences, or less fair proceedings for those relying on public defenders. It highlights the ongoing need to ensure that the constitutional right to a lawyer is a reality for everyone, not just those who can pay.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a grant program for states, local governments, and Tribal organizations to improve public defense services.
This creates a pathway for federal funding to directly support and strengthen public defense systems at the local level.
PROVISION 02
Offers 'data grants' to help public defender offices collect information on their cases, attorneys, and outcomes.
Collecting data allows for identifying problems and making informed decisions to improve the quality and efficiency of legal defense.
PROVISION 03
Provides 'hiring grants' to increase the number of public defense attorneys once data collection systems are in place.
More attorneys can reduce heavy caseloads, ensuring clients receive more attention and higher quality legal representation.
PROVISION 04
Aims to protect the constitutional right to counsel for both adults and juveniles in state, local, and Tribal courts.
This reinforces a core constitutional principle and ensures that legal representation is provided for all eligible individuals.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· New Jersey
YRS IN OFFICE
12
BILLS LED
120
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 25
Introduced in Senate
MAR 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 1102
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 25, 2025
Last actionMar 25, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 25, 2025
Senate BillS 1102Crime and Law Enforcement
Quality Defense Act of 2025
INTRODUCED MAR 25, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 25, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
13 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
