Blog Post, News Story (NATIONAL)
Sara Randazzo
Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
March 28, 2017
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Funding: Federal
Organizations mentioned/involved: Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
DETAILS
The general counsel urge members of Congress to allocate $450 million in funds to the organization, which they say “creates a level playing field for the many lower and moderate-income families who cannot afford a lawyer.” Unlike defendants charged with crimes, those facing civil legal issues have no Constitutional right to a lawyer, making pro bono services the only feasible way for many people to access the system.
“As lawyers and business leaders, we understand how LSC’s national framework provides the basic structure that supports the provision of civil legal services,” the general counsel say. They point out that, “Civil legal issues can have devastating, life altering consequences for people who are forced to face the justice system alone,” and that Legal Services Corp. money goes toward helping active and retired members of the military, domestic-violence victims, families facing child-custody disputes and small-business owners.