Jo-Ann Wallace Featured on NPR's Morning Edition Expressing Support for DOJ's Access to Justice Initiative (Feb. 26, 2010)

National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" ran a story confirming the Department of Justice's plans to start an "Access to Justice" initiative headed up by Harvard Law School professor Larry Tribe. The office will work with judges, prosecutors and other criminal justice advocates to find ways to help ensure a meaningful right to counsel.

Jo-Ann Wallace was featured in the story expessing optimism about the project, stating "It demonstrates that they [DOJ] recognize how important public defense is for a fair justice system, so we're excited that they're moving forward."

The project is receiving bipartisan support from noted conservatives such as Ken Starr and Charles Cooper, who call the project appropriate for the Department of Justice.

To listen to the NPR story, visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124094017

Also on February 26, The Washington Post featured an article on DOJ's launch of the Access to Justice Initiative, which complements nicely the NPR piece. To read that article, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/25/AR2010022505697.html

For more information, please contact: Deborah E. Dubois Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Development National Legal Aid & Defender Association d.dubois@nlada.org 202-452-0620 ext. 223