Washington Letter June 2011

Featured Articles

Courts & Judiciary

ABA Cites Ways to Improve Immigration Courts

The ABA testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee May 18 that, although progress is being made toward improving the immigration court system, significant problems remain.

Prosecution

ABA Urges Less Costly Criminal Justice Alternatives

ABA President Stephen N. Zack last month urged House and Senate leaders of the Budget, Appropriations and Judiciary Committees to rethink the country’s approach to criminal justice and corrections spending and look toward less costly and more effective alternatives.

Federal Government

ABA Opposes Extending DHS Civil Detention Authority

The ABA expressed opposition May 31 to a bill to expand Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detention authority, emphasizing that Congress should be taking steps to shorten and provide alternatives to, not prolong, detention.

Civil Rights & Constitution

ABA Urges Stop to Bullying, Other Youth-to-Youth Violence

In May 23 comments to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the ABA commended the commission for its attention to bullying and other types of peer-to-peer violence where students are targeted because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Military & Veterans

Justice for Troops Act to Provide Access to Pro Bono Legal Help for Servicemembers

A bipartisan bill introduced last month in the Senate would authorize the Defense Department (DoD) to support approved programs designed to provide pro bono legal representation to low-income military families – a move strongly supported by the ABA.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

ABA Suggests Changes to Arbitration Bill

The ABA urged key congressional leaders to make additional changes to this year’s version of the proposed Arbitration Fairness Act, maintaining that even though the bills include some of the association’s earlier suggestions, the legislation still would have certain profound and unintended negative consequences.