For people facing civil law challenges such as unlawful evictions, foreclosures, domestic violence, or unlawful denial of government support, it may be impossible to navigate the court system without a lawyer. However, unlike the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings, the courts have not recognized the right to a lawyer in the vast majority of civil cases. This makes justice inaccessible to low-income people and undermines a fundamental principle of our nation, which is that the amount of money a person receives should not determine the quality of justice they receive. What are the examples of legal aid in civil matters? Civil legal aid provides: information about the law or tools to solve simple legal problems. What types of issues are generally involved in civil legal aid? Civil legal aid provides people with access to legal aid to protect their livelihoods, health, homes and families. How is civil legal aid useful? Civil legal aid helps ensure fairness for everyone involved in the justice system, no matter how much money you have. The equality of justice before the law is a core American value engraved on the Supreme Court building and taught in classrooms across the country. Civil legal aid helps fulfill this promise of justice for all, not just the few who can afford it. Regardless of where the money comes from, civil legal aid is an investment that pays off for taxpayers, businesses and communities. For example, businesses and investors save money by restoring home values resulting from foreclosure prevention. Health care providers also save money when civil legal aid helps eligible families get insurance or Medicaid coverage to pay for their services.
Civil legal aid is a combination of services and resources that helps Americans from all walks of life—including those facing the toughest legal challenges: children, veterans, the elderly, sick or disabled, and victims of domestic violence—effectively navigate the justice system. You can also ask your local bar association if they offer any of the following free services to people who need legal assistance: Civil legal aid also helps streamline the court system and reduce court costs. If you have a civil law problem but can`t afford to hire a private lawyer, you can still access the legal system through your local legal advice and legal aid organization, which provides free or low-cost legal services to low-income people. Information on many of these local services can be found online at the websites listed below. Federally funded legal aid firms provide lawyers who are experts in helping low-income people with legal problems. What is the Société des services juridiques (LSC)? How does it fit into the overall picture of civil legal aid? LSC manages federal investments in civil legal aid. It is the largest funder of civil legal aid, but provides less than a quarter of total funding nationally. Civil Legal Aid Explainer video hosted by Voices for Civil Justice on Vimeo.
Civil legal aid helps ensure fairness for everyone involved in the justice system, no matter how much money you have. How does the pro bono work of lawyers fit into the picture? Pro bono legal representation is a crucial component of civil legal aid and plays an important role in accessing the civil justice system, but it is only part of the solution. Despite the vital work of pro bono lawyers, our country faces a huge equity deficit. The demand for legal aid far exceeds available resources and, as a result, many are navigating high-stakes legal situations alone – where their families, homes and livelihoods are at stake. If you can`t afford a lawyer, legal aid may be able to help you: Who is helped by civil legal aid? Americans of all backgrounds and ages, including families, children, veterans, the elderly, and the sick or disabled.
