State/Federal Clinic Demonstration Project

In FY 2002, the grantee undertook a multi-year, national demonstration project to improve the capacity of attorneys to represent victims in the enforcement of their rights. Under this project, the grantee developed competitive solicitations and selected several organizations and agencies around the country to establish legal clinics that will provide representation to crime victims in criminal court. Four of these clinics have begun implementation. In the next grant year, those four sites will receive continuation funding and four new sites (including one clinic that will represent victims in federal court) will receive support for the establishment of legal clinics. Each of the clinics will receive funding for a total of three years and intensive technical assistance in the establishment and operation of the clinics and the representation of victims. Additionally, the grantee provides assistance and support to victims and to attorneys across the country who represent crime victims in the enforcement of their rights. The grantee also is expanding a nationwide network of crime victim attorneys through its National Alliance of Victims Rights Attorneys (NAVRA). Under the project, the grantee issues a semi-annual newsletter that provides attorneys and others with information about victims rights and convenes a national training conference for attorneys litigating on behalf of victims.

nca/ncf