Indigent Defense: DOJ Could Increase Awareness of Eligible Funding and Better Determine the Extent to Which Funds Help Support This Purpose (2012)

ABSTRACT & CITATION

The Government Accountability Office used web based surveys to determine the extent to which state, local, and tribal government who received DOJ grants from fiscal year 2005 through 2010 allocated federal funding for indigent defense, the factors that influenced their decisions, and the amounts allocated.  The survey results provided insight into the awareness and expectations of grant recipients and established a basis for GAO recommendations on indigent defense funding allocation.  The GAO found that unless required, few recipients allocated or planned to use any federal funding for indigent defense, in part due to competing priorities.  When recipients did allocated funding for defense, the amount was generally small in relation to the total award and was used for personnel and training.  The GAO suggests the DOJ could more consistently collect data on the amount of funding allocated for indigent defense when a program identifies it as a priority as well as exercise its capability to offer system evaluations of indigent defense providers.  Ultimately, GAO recommends executive actions and concludes with feedback on those recommendations from third parties like DOI, DOJ, AOUSC, and The Bronx Defenders.

US Government Accountability Office. (2012). Indigent Defense: DOJ Could Increase Awareness of Eligible Funding and Better Determine the Extent to Which Funds Help Support this Purpose. GAO Report to Congressional Requesters.