Criminal Justice
In the United
States, the promise of “justice for all” is
for many citizens too often just a promise. At almost each point at which individuals
enter the system – from the moment of initial arrest, to courtroom proceedings,
and eventual re-entry, the criminal justice system badly needs reform. Though constitutionally entitled to counsel,
many citizens charged with criminal conduct face court proceedings without benefit of reliable counsel.
The Brennan
Center works to close
the resulting “justice gap.” We lead a
national indigent defense reform movement, that is dedicated to strengthening defender
services and to securing the promise of Gideon. Through our Community Defender
Network, we help public defenders achieve important policy
reforms, even as they represent their clients in individual cases. And, we are working to ensure that a new
generation of “fees & fines” does not unfairly shift the costs of criminal
justice systems onto those least able to shoulder them.
