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John R. Justice Loan Repayment


2022 JRJ Application Instructions

2022 JRJ Program Application with Certified Assurances

 

*The FY22 applications must be submitted to Sheila Kemp by email Sheila.Kemp@prosecutors.mo.gov or by fax (573) 751-1171, or regular mail P.O. Box 899 Jefferson City, MO 65102 by August 30, 2023. Any application submitted after that time will not be considered.

The John R. Justice (JRJ) Student Loan Repayment Program (42 U.S.C. 3797cc-21) is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services is the State Administering Agency (SAA) of the grant funds.

 

The JRJ Program was named for the late John Reid Justice of South Carolina to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders and to continue in that service. The criminal justice system faces a challenge of retaining qualified prosecutors and public defenders who serve every day to ensure that our communities are protected, the rule of law is upheld, and the rights of citizenry are safeguarded. Student loan debt is consistently cited as the overwhelming reason why attorneys decline or leave positions as prosecutors and public defenders. The vast majority of law students borrow to finance their legal education, but public defender and prosecutor salaries have failed to keep pace with the escalating cost of education.

 

The JRJ Program provides loan repayment assistance for local, state, and federal public defenders and local and state prosecutors who commit to continued employment as eligible public defenders and prosecutors for at least three (3) years. An attorney must not be in default on repayment of any federal student loans.