Story perspectives
Government Shutdown Strains Defense Work, Threatens Justice System
11/6/2025
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Story summary
- The U.S. government shutdown has disrupted federal defense work, especially for Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorneys.
- Funding runs out in July, causing many Criminal Justice Act lawyers to stop taking new cases.
- Judges have delayed trials because defendants cannot afford expert witnesses.
- The funding squeeze reduced the pool of available attorneys.
- Legal professionals say the lack of funding threatens the judiciary's integrity and livelihoods.
