Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Tennessee Death Penalty Lawyers Request
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On August 7, 2025, the Department of Justice published a notice about Tennessee’s request for federal certification of its capital counsel mechanism.
The State of Tennessee has asked the U.S. Attorney General for certification of its system to provide lawyers for people sentenced to death. The state wants approval that it meets federal rules for appointing, paying, and supporting lawyers for those who cannot afford legal help in death penalty cases.
The rules for this come from Chapter 154 of Title 28 in the United States Code. These rules give states special procedures for federal court review of death penalty cases, but only if the state has set up a fair way for poor prisoners to get qualified lawyers and pay their legal costs.
Now, the public can send comments about Tennessee’s request. People can write or make electronic comments until October 6, 2025. Mailed comments must be postmarked by that date. Online comments are open until Midnight Eastern Time on October 6, 2025.
Comments must say “Docket No. OLP180” to help the Department handle them correctly. Electronic comments should be sent via www.regulations.gov. Paper comments should not copy the electronic version.
For questions, contact Levi Lall, Counsel at the Office of Legal Policy, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530. Phone: 202-598-0771.
The public can read Tennessee’s request and the facts supporting it at https://www.justice.gov/olp/pending-requests-final-decisions.
This notice was signed by Nicholas J. Schilling Jr., Supervisory Official in the Office of Legal Policy, on August 4, 2025.
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