Justice Blogs

OVW Commemorates Pride Month

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

As we continue to celebrate Pride Month, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) reaffirms our commitment to using every available resource to protect and uphold the safety, dignity, and well-being of the LGBTQI2S+ community. Our dedication extends beyond June, ensuring support throughout the entire year.

Environmental Crimes Bulletin - May 2024

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

This month's cases include violations involving pesticide shipments and smuggling, reptile sales, dog fighting, seafood mislabeling, wildlife trafficking, handbag sales, emissions fraud, boat sinking, wastewater discharge, animal crush videos, and more.

Thirteenth Meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group Focused on Countering Hizballah’s Terrorist and Illicit Activities

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The United States Department of Justice, United States Department of State, and Europol convened the thirteenth meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordination Group (LECG) on countering Hizballah’s terrorist and illicit activities on June 6-7.

Summary of Fiscal Year 2023 Annual FOIA Reports Published

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Government-wide FOIA data shows another record-setting year for requests received and processed.

Advancing Our Nation’s Commitment to End Gender-Based Violence

Fri, 31 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), landmark bipartisan legislation first enacted by Congress in 1994, is a testament to the power of collective action. The hallmark of VAWA and its subsequent reauthorizations is a coordinated community response, which seeks to bring together advocates, service providers, agencies, and community partners across many disciplines to break down silos so that all survivors can access safety, justice, healing, and well-being, tailored to their own unique needs and circumstances. We know there is no one-size-fits all approach and that supporting survivors requires collective action and a sustained commitment.

Justice Department Recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month

Tue, 28 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a celebration of the contributions of Jewish Americans to the great tapestry of American history. The threads for Jews and Black Americans in that tapestry are interwoven in essential ways. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told the American Jewish Congress in 1958:

Mexico: OPDAT Continues Close Collaboration with Mexican Partners to Counter Fentanyl Trafficking

Wed, 15 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On May 14 and 15, in Mexico City, Mexico, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance (INL) and the Mexican Attorney General’s office (FGR), through the Specialized Office for International Affairs (FEAIN), directed by Licenciado Miguel Angel Méndez Buenos Aires,held the third in a series of workshops with prosecutors from FGR.

México: OPDAT continúa su estrecha colaboración con socios mexicanos para contrarrestar el tráfico de fentanilo

Wed, 15 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Los días 14 y 15 de mayo, en la Ciudad de México, México, la Oficina Internacional para el Desarollo de Sistemas de Procuración de Justicia (OPDAT, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos, con el apoyo de la Embajada de los Estados Unidos en México y la Oficina Internacional de Antinarcóticos y Asistencia para la Aplicación de la Ley (INL) del Departamento de Estado y la Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) de México, a través de la Fiscalía Especial para Asuntos Internacionales (FEAIN), dirigida por el Lic.

Leveraging Federal Funding across Government to Expand Access to Justice: Updates from the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable

LAIR Executive Director Allie Yang-Green, Todd Venook and Justin Brooks — Mon, 13 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), staffed and directed by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ), has been busy this year, driving forward the collaboration of 28 federal agencies towards advancing access to justice. LAIR is mandated to “improve coordination among Federal programs, so that programs are more efficient and produce better outcomes,” including expanded access to legal services. Part of that mission entails marshalling and expanding access to the resources across federal government that can fund legal help. In line with these goals, LAIR published a first-of-its-kind online resource to simplify the search for federal funding opportunities for providers of legal services (including those offering nonlawyer assistance) and presented an educational webinar offering training on how to access federal funding for legal aid.

OVW Commemorates Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

Thu, 02 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In April, we marked the 23^rd annual observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s theme, “Building Connected Communities,” recognizes that the best way to prevent sexual assault and support survivors is by working together to create strong, connected communities that are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone.

Questions and Answers with USTP Director Tara Twomey

Wed, 01 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000

This article originally appeared in ABI Journal, Vol. XLIII, No. 5, May 2024.

North Macedonia: ICITAP-Supported Ministry of Interior Forensic Laboratory Successfully Passes ISO Reaccreditation Assessment

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On April 30, 2024, assessors from North Macedonia National Institute for Accreditation conducted the annual assessment of the MOI Forensic lab and presented the lab with ISO reaccreditation.

Environmental Crimes Bulletin April 2024 Week 4

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

This week’s cases include violations of the Lacey Act, Clean Water Act, and and Animal Welfare Act.

Register Now for NexGen 2.0 FOIA Tech Showcase for Federal Agencies

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Virtual showcase will feature vendor demos and opportunities for Q&A

Kenya: ICITAP-EMPoWER Kicks Off Officer Training at Kenya School of Government

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On April 22, 2024, the Engaging Multinational Policewomen on Equality and Rights (EMPoWER) program and the Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program, under the Women in Security project, kicked off training at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) to wrap up the first phase of assistance for a cohort of 20 security sector officers in Kenya.

Criminal Division’s Voluntary Self-Disclosures Pilot Program for Individuals

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Combating corporate crime is one of the Criminal Division’s top priorities. We are focused on identifying the most serious misconduct and holding wrongdoers accountable.

Environmental Crimes Bulletin April 2024 Week 3

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

This week’s cases include violations of the Clean Air Act.

Serbia: ICITAP Sponsors Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association’s Women Police Officers Network Workshop on Power of Effective Communication

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On April 16, the opening of the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association’s (SEPCA) Women Police Officers Network workshop on the Power of Effective Communication took place in Vršac, Serbia.

Justice Department’s Successful Defense of Lands in Trust Case will Preserve Land in Massachusetts for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari seeking review of lower court rulings that upheld a 2021 Department of the Interior decision to acquire land in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. The denial of certiorari allows the Department of the Interior to continue to hold land in trust for the Tribe, ending eight years of protracted litigation over the question of Interior’s authority under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA) to acquire the property.

Environmental Crimes Bulletin April 2024 Week 2

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

This week’s cases include violations of the Clean Air Act and Migratory Bird Act.