Vera Institute of Justice v. U.S. Department of Justice

Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief on behalf of 25 jurisdictions in 19 states in a case challenging the termination of federal grants that keep local communities safe. 

In April, the Department of Justice abruptly ended more than $820 million in funding. More than 370 grants were affected for critical services such as community safety and violence intervention, effective law enforcement and prosecution, victim support services, and public safety research. While the jurisdictions vary in size, demographics, and region, what they have in common is how the federal government’s sudden stripping away of these funds jeopardizes programs that protect residents and build community trust.

In May, Vera Institute of Justice and four other plaintiffs brought a federal class action lawsuit asking the court to stop the federal government’s actions. The lawsuit argues that the immediate terminations violate both the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Relying on the experiences of local governments, city and county officials, and prosecuting attorneys, our brief argues how jurisdictions across the country have already been (or will be) harmed by the loss of this essential funding. They explain the importance of keeping this funding and how the local impact of these cuts will have widespread nationwide effects unless the courts step in. 

Update:

On July 18, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs are appealing the lower court’s dismissal of the case and have requested an emergency injunction while the appeal is underway. We’re urging the appeals court to grant that request and keep these critical federal grants active during the review process.

Like the original brief, the new filing outlines how jurisdictions across the country are already experiencing — or will soon face — serious harm from the loss of this essential funding. It also emphasizes the broader national impact of these cuts and the urgent need for the courts to intervene.

Eric Rinehart, state’s attorney for Lake County, Illinois, and the Office of the Mayor of the City of Evanston are among the new signatories to the brief.

Read the amicus brief.