Law Student Loan Forgiveness
Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act
Last Updated: January 30, 2006
Rep. Scott (R-GA) and Sen. Durbin (D-IL) have introduced legislation in the House (H.R. 198) and Senate (S. 2039)
that would
extend to public defenders and prosecutors the same program of student loan repayment assistance as is
already available to federal government attorneys and congressional staff – up to $6,000 to $10,000 per
year in repayment relief, up to a cap of $40,000 to $60,000, for attorneys making a commitment to such
governmental service.
- "Today's law students graduate with staggering amounts of student loan debt" – up to $140,000
among public defenders. (Senate Judiciary Committee in its report in 2003.)
- Student loan debt is the number one obstacle to recruitment and retention of qualified attorneys
to careers in a public defense agency. The problem is worst, "for low-income students with the
highest loans, consisting disproportionately of minorities."
(Senate Judiciary Committee in its report in 2003.)
- These problems equally affect prosecutors. The National District Attorneys Association and has
made student loan forgiveness for prosecutors and public defenders one of their highest legislative
priorities for the 109th Congress.
Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act - Summary
(pdf, 33 Kb)
Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act - Analysis
(pdf, 77 Kb)
Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act - Bullet Points
(pdf, 45 Kb)
Defender Stories
This bill matters. Read defender stories from around the country.
Defender Loan Forgiveness Stories
Contact Richard Goemann
for more information on this and other legislative issues.
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