TTA to Support the Protection of Constitutional Rights Under the Sixth Amendment

Strategic Planning, Evaluation Services and Systems Issues (updated October 2, 2020) 

BJA is pleased to offer additional, free training and technical assistance through its 2017 National Initiatives Adjudications: TTA to Support the Protection of Constitutional Rights Under the Sixth Amendment awards.

In order to receive TTA, the requesting entity must complete and submit the corresponding application form. BJA and its TTA partners (the Center for Court Innovation and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association) will follow up with the applicant to conduct an interview. Applications will be taken on a rolling and ongoing basis until resources are no longer available for assistance.

Two types of TTA remain available:

The first type of TTA available is for strategic planning around use of video/remote court proceedings. In late 2020, the American Bar Association passed revised resolution 117 on virtual and remote court proceedings, which urges the creation of local committees to establish or review the use of video technology in courtrooms and make recommendations. BJA’s TTA providers will provide collaborative strategic planning services to state and local jurisdictions and their agents seeking to form such committees or otherwise address issues related to the use of video technology in criminal courtrooms as it relates to Sixth Amendment rights.

To apply for strategic planning TTA, please complete this application form and submit to [email protected].

The second type of TTA available is for "on demand services." State and local governments and their agents (i.e., court leaders and administrators, defender agencies, and other criminal justice stakeholders) may request research and technical assistance on a variety of issues, such as systemic indigent defense best practices and information on defender services in comparable jurisdictions. BJA envisions some requests under this category to be brief in duration (less than two days’ time), including speaker bureau requests, experts for Task Forces or in the legislative arena, comparative research, and help desk calls. Other requests will require more intensive effort, including on-site assistance with remote follow up.

To apply for on demand TTA, please complete this application form and submit to [email protected].