Department of Justice Receives Request for Certification of Alabama Capital Counsel Mechanism
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On August 7, 2025, the Department of Justice released a public notice about Alabama’s request for certification of its capital counsel mechanism. The request was made to the United States Attorney General.
Alabama seeks to have its system for appointing counsel in capital cases officially certified. This would cover appointments, compensation, and covering legal expenses for lawyers who represent people sentenced to death and who cannot afford their own attorneys.
Federal law, specifically Chapter 154 of Title 28, United States Code, sets special rules for federal court reviews of cases for prisoners on death row who do not have money for legal help. These special rules are available only if the U.S. Attorney General certifies that a state has a qualified system for appointing and paying competent lawyers to handle these state post-conviction cases.
The public notice confirms that Alabama has formally submitted its request. The Department of Justice invites the public to send in comments about this request.
How to Comment
People can send in written or electronic comments. Comments must be received on or before October 6, 2025. Mailed comments will be accepted if they are postmarked by that date. Electronic comments will be accepted until midnight Eastern Time on October 6, 2025.
Where to Submit Comments
All comments should reference “Docket No. OLP181.” The Department of Justice asks that comments be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov using the comment form there. People should not send paper copies if they already submitted their comments online. Anyone who wants to send written comments can mail them to Levi Lall, Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530.
More Information
Questions about Alabama’s request can be directed to Levi Lall at 202-598-0771.
Public materials about Alabama’s request, as well as details about the review process, are available to view at https://www.justice.gov/olp/pending-requests-final-decisions.
The notice is dated August 4, 2025, and was signed by Nicholas J. Schilling Jr., Supervisory Official of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy.
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