Today’s observance marks a unique opportunity to remind professionals from across our nation’s legal community about the sacred responsibilities that every one of us shares. It provides a chance to call attention to the needs that we all must fulfill – and the challenges that prosecutors, public defenders, and policymakers throughout the country are called to address. And it’s an important moment not merely to reflect on our past, but to plan for the future – and recommit ourselves to the ideals laid out in Justice Hugo Black’s historic opinion.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced today $1.8 million in new resources to improve access to criminal legal services and strengthen indigent defense across the nation.

"This morning, I’m proud to join Vice President Biden in unveiling the first-ever Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Demonstration Initiative grant awards – through which the Justice Department will distribute a total of $2.3 million to 12 cities and counties to support innovative programs dedicated to predicting potentially lethal behavior, stopping the escalation of violence, and saving lives," said Attorney General Holder.