- Office of Grants and Research
- Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Media Contact for $100K in Student Loan Assistance Awarded to Prosecutors, Public Defenders
Renee Algarin, Director of Communications
Braintree — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 10 Massachusetts prosecutors and public defenders will receive student loan repayment awards. The grant awards will help ensure that experienced attorneys are able to continue their careers representing the Commonwealth and charged individuals in criminal cases.
The John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program for Prosecutors and Public Defenders is a program of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that helps encourage attorneys to enter and remain in critically important roles of prosecutors and indigent defense attorneys. The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) manages and administers the federally funded program in Massachusetts.
The program provides up to $10,000 a year in student loan repayments for eligible attorneys, with a maximum lifetime benefit of $60,000. Each of the program’s beneficiaries must commit to remain in their role as a prosecutor or public defender for no less than three years after receiving their initial award. Applicants who have received previous awards and completed their initial 36-month commitment must make continuing service agreements to receive additional assistance.
“Our state’s prosecutors and defense attorneys have a critical role to play in the safety of our communities and the fairness of our criminal justice system. These funds help ensure that talented and experienced attorneys can remain in these critical professions, benefiting all of Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“Many attorneys who begin their careers in public service would choose to remain on this path – if only they could afford to. By assisting with the financial burden of their student loans, we’re able to help attorneys remain in these important careers,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
“When we lose prosecutors and public defenders to the private sector, our communities lose strong courtroom advocates representing both the Commonwealth and the accused. Their public service has a tremendous impact on the lives of victims, survivors, charged individuals, their families and Massachusetts communities. It is vital that we help experienced attorneys remain in our criminal courts to ensure the safety of our communities and the fairness and accountability of our criminal justice system,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy.
“Prosecutors and defense attorneys can spend years in the courtroom honing their skills and judgement. This experience is important to ensuring the fairness and equity of our legal system, and it cannot be replicated or easily replaced. These small awards make a big difference in the ability of prosecutors and public defenders to remain in their roles serving the people of Massachusetts,” said Kevin Stanton, Executive Director of OGR. “My agency is proud to help these public servants continue their careers in support of public safety.”
Beneficiaries of the FY24 John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program are:
- Three trial attorneys for the Committee for Public Counsel Services,
- Two assistant district attorneys (ADAs) for the Essex County District Attorney’s Office,
- One assistant attorney general for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office,
- One ADA for the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office,
- One ADA for the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office,
- One ADA for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and
- One ADA for the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
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Media Contact for $100K in Student Loan Assistance Awarded to Prosecutors, Public Defenders
Office of Grants and Research
