INITIATIVE
Restore the Promise
Reforming the Hyde Amendment so that unjust prosecutions carry real consequences—and innocent and vindicated people can recover their lives.
The Problem
The Hyde Amendment was intended to deter prosecutorial misconduct and compensate those who were wrongfully prosecuted. In practice, it has fallen short. Fewer than 15 meaningful awards are granted nationwide in a typical year. Most people who are acquitted, have charges dismissed, or otherwise prevail never recover the legal fees, lost wages, or reputational damage they suffered.
Why Reform Matters
A broken promise is still a promise. The Hyde Amendment is meant to be a safeguard against government overreach, but its current structure creates too many barriers for the people it was designed to protect.
When a family spends years of savings, loses a home, loses a business, and sees relationships destroyed—only to be acquitted at trial or have the case dismissed—they deserve a meaningful path to recovery. The current law makes that nearly impossible.
Restore the Promise is the Justice Restoration Foundation's flagship legislative initiative. We are building a coalition of legal experts, advocates, families, and lawmakers to fix the Hyde Amendment and restore its original purpose.
Four Reforms
Prevailing-Party Standard
Change the standard so that individuals who are acquitted, have charges dismissed, or are otherwise vindicated can recover the costs of their defense without proving prosecutorial misconduct—a standard that is nearly impossible to meet today.
Net-Worth Cap
Remove or reform the net-worth cap that prevents middle-class and working families from recovering their legal fees and related costs, even when they have clearly prevailed.
Market-Rate Fees
Ensure that fee awards reflect the actual market cost of modern criminal defense, not artificially low government rates that leave families in debt.
Mandatory Awards
Make fee recovery mandatory for prevailing parties, reducing the discretion of prosecutors to resist legitimate claims and ensuring consistent application of the law.
Add your name to the coalition
Join the growing movement of citizens, families, and advocates who believe that the process should not become the punishment. We will keep you informed of legislative updates, action alerts, and events.
Current Status
The Justice Restoration Foundation is tracking legislation, meeting with lawmakers, and producing educational materials to build support for Hyde Amendment reform. We are also collecting stories and data that demonstrate the real-world impact of the current law on families and communities.
For updates, white papers, and coalition invitations, contact us or subscribe to the Restoration Circle newsletter.