In the near future, we will introduce legislation to provide critical financial relief for our public interest attorneys, including prosecutors, public defenders, and legal aid attorneys, to address the shortage of qualified legal professionals in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. 
  
Recent reports from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and Joint State Government Commission cite a serious deficit in the number of public interest attorneys for both defense and prosecution. Shortages in these areas overburden existing staff, disrupt the operations of our justice system, and impede the Commonwealth’s ability to deliver due process of law for its residents and communities. 
  
Attorneys who practice in the public interest sector often are forced to weigh their desire for public service against the heavy student loan burdens they carry from their time in law school. Often totaling well over $100,000, student loan debt can force dedicated young attorneys to forgo practice in the justice system. Our Commonwealth has the greatest need for the labor and skill of these attorneys. This legislation would offset some of the high costs of law school, while supporting young attorneys to pursue careers in public service. This will help provide critical staffing support to reduce disparities in our justice system and ensure that our Commonwealth can uphold the highest standards of justice. 
  
To that end, we will be introducing legislation, alongside Representative Sean Dougherty in the House, to create the Pennsylvania Public Interest Attorney Loan Relief Program (PA PARP - Public Attorney Relief Program). This program will allow attorneys in Pennsylvania, with at least four years of service as a district attorney, assistant district attorney, and/or indigent legal service attorney (such as a public defender), to be eligible to receive $3,400 per year of service. This includes a maximum for up to 6 years for $20,400 against the balance of their student loans with PA state and federal education loan programs, if in good standing. To ensure these dollars are directed toward attorney recruitment and retention, attorneys with more than 10 years of service would not be eligible. 
  
The legal professionals who serve our Commonwealth deserve the same support they provide to our justice-impacted residents and families. To uphold the highest standards of justice, it is our responsibility to ensure that Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system is fully staffed with dedicated professionals to better balance the scales of justice.   
  
Please join us in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation.