BJA FY 15 Smart Defense Initiative Answering Gideonмs Call: Improving Public Defense Delivery Systems

Post Date

February 23rd 2015

Application Due Date

April 22nd 2015

Funding Opportunity Number

BJA-2015-4080

CFDA Number(s)

16.817

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Law, Justice and Legal Services

Number of Awards

5

Eligibility Categories

State Governments
County Governments
City or Township Governments
Non-Profits With 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)
Other

Eligible applicants are state or local government agencies, independent boards or commissions, state or local public defender organizations, and other organizations, including nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit organizations).

Funding

• Award Range:

  $0 - $400000

Grant Description

The Smart Defense Initiative, administered by BJA, is part of BJAмs ЯSmart SuiteН of criminal justice programs including Smart Pretrial, Smart Policing, Smart Supervision, and Smart Prosecution. BJA established the Smart Suite over 5 years ago with the creation of the Smart Policing Initiative. The Smart Suite supports criminal justice professionals in building evidencebased, data-driven criminal justice strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical. BJAмs smart programs represent a strategic approach that brings more ЯscienceН into criminal justice operations by leveraging innovative applications of analysis, technology, and evidence-based practices. In many states, the public defense delivery system is in crisis, with too many defendants lacking access to quality advice and representation. In addition to being a matter of constitutional concern, this void can contribute to over-incarceration, reduced confidence in the justice system, and other inequities. Without quality effective representation, a defendant may not be treated fairly, may not understand the process, and may not get the benefit of available alternatives to incarceration for first-time or low-level offenses. Additionally, ifthese issues are not addressed, victims are ill-served and the criminal justice systemмs shared goals of justice and public safety go unmet. To help jurisdictions strengthen state and local public defense delivery systems, BJA is releasing this competitive grant announcement. Under Smart Defense, BJA is seeking applicants who are interested in developing innovative, data-driven approaches to improve their public defense delivery systems guided by the Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. This program is funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Pub. L. No. 113-76).

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Justice

• Office:

  Office of Justice Programs

• Agency Contact:

  For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer
  Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035, or via e-mail to support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except
  federal holidays.

• Agency Mailing Address:

  Technical Support

• Agency Email Address:

  support@grants.gov

• Location:

  Bureau of Justice Assistance

• More Information:

  Full Announcement