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Topics for today’s discussion. Challenges of self help services in rural communities, Role of rural law libraries, Examples of rural self help centers, Input on the recommendations of the Rural Task Force. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Topics for today’s Topics for today’s discussiondiscussionChallenges of self help services in rural communities,
Role of rural law libraries,Examples of rural self help centers,
Input on the recommendations of the Rural Task Force.
IMPROVING IMPROVING CIVIL JUSTICE CIVIL JUSTICE ININ RURAL CALIFORNIA:RURAL CALIFORNIA:A Report of the California A Report of the California Commission on Access to Commission on Access to JusticeJusticeSeptember 2010September 2010
Overview of Key Overview of Key Challenges Challenges Facing Rural Facing Rural CCaliforniansalifornians
DistanceLack of resources
◦Few law firms and corporations◦Few law schools◦Limited access to foundation
fundingLimited access to technology
Background Information:Background Information:Definition of urban, rural,
frontier.Why MSSA Guidelines
Recommended.Rural California would be the 4th
largest state.More than 90% of California
counties have rural or frontier areas.
Basic Principle: Basic Principle: Pursue Geographic Pursue Geographic Equality Equality (1(1stst recommendation) recommendation)
All Californians should have access to justice.
Legal assistance available should not depend on where one resides.
Greater percentage of rural people are in need.
"Rural America lags behind the rest of the nation in nearly every measure of success - housing, employment, pay, educational opportunity and access to healthcare." Dee Davis, President, The Center for Rural Strategies
IN FACT:IN FACT:18% rural vs16% urban are
impoverished. 22% of rural children compared to
19% of urban children are impoverished.
Larger percentage are elderly (20% rural vs. 15% urban).
Larger percentage are living with disabilities (20% rural vs 17% urban).
Expand Funding for Expand Funding for Rural Legal Services: Rural Legal Services: ((22ndnd Recommendation) Recommendation)There are substantial differences in legal services funding for urban and rural counties.
• Urban (7 counties) average of $44.83 per poor person.• Mixed (23 counties) average of
$26.43 per poor person.• Rural (28 counties) average of
$18.56 per poor person.
Develop Minimum Develop Minimum Access Guidelines Access Guidelines (3(3rdrd recommendation) recommendation)
Develop a threshold funding level. Plan implementation through
available and expanded resources.Access to Justice Commission
should take the lead, working with all stakeholders.
Be mindful of potential impact on urban programs.
Establish Statewide Establish Statewide “Friends of Rural Legal “Friends of Rural Legal Aid” Committee Aid” Committee (4(4thth recommendation) recommendation)
Goal is to increase both funding and pro bono resources.
Legal aid programs should take the lead to develop this Committee – working with the Access to Justice Commission and:
• key rural leaders,• representatives of urban law firms, and• corporate counsel and other community
leaders from urban areas.
Introduction to Introduction to California County Law California County Law LibrariesLibrariesEstablished in 1891;Business & Professions Code 6300-6363; Provide free access to print and electronic legal resourcesOpen to all county residents;Available in most California counties;Library staff prohibited from giving legal advice.
Today’s County Law Today’s County Law LibrariesLibrariesServing more self-represented litigants than attorneys.Reflecting change in patron types.Only place to access legal information in rural counties.Connected to county legal community.
Example of El Dorado Example of El Dorado CountyCounty•200,000 residents and 338 attorneys,•Primarily rural,•2 locations– main branch and kiosk in public library •3 weekly legal aid workshops,•300 in-person legal reference questions each month, and 100 – 200 email & phone
Promising Practices in Promising Practices in Rural Law LibrariesRural Law Libraries•Yolo County•Placer County•Butte County•Larger Counties
Why Work with Librarians?Why Work with Librarians?Accustomed to funding shortages and
low-cost creative solutions.Know best resources,Create resources to fill gaps,Skilled at building community
partnerships.Skilled at using technology.Collaborative, passionate, and focused
on needs of others.Don’t forget public libraries as partners.
Rural Court Clinics -Rural Court Clinics -VariationsVariations
•On site - off site•Access to court files•Access to clerks and filing•Security
Resources availableResources available
Law libraries have legal resources.
Social Service agency resources: Staffing for appointments DMV FRC in Truckee Legal services connection.
Pro Bono Support Pro Bono Support (5(5thth Recommendation) Recommendation)
lawyers and bar associations in rural areas should expand pro bono that they are already doing, working with legal aid programs;
if there is a conflict, they can: Give time and money to rural legal services. Volunteer at self-help clinics.
Urban support is also crucial – good examples already exist involving:
Large firms, PIC and law schools (Justice Bus & research).
Develop Innovative Ways Develop Innovative Ways to Use Technology to to Use Technology to Bridge the Bridge the Urban/ Rural Divide Urban/ Rural Divide (6(6thth Recommendation) Recommendation)
Effective use of technology can help address many rural barriers:
online resources for pro pers;video-conferencing to connect rural clients
lawyers: Example: SHARP is Tri-County collaboration - one attorney addresses self-represented litigants at court sites in Butte, Glenn and Tehama Counties.
e-filing – EZLegalFile in most counties.
Convene Local Rural Access Convene Local Rural Access Task Forces to Improve All Task Forces to Improve All Components of Delivery of Components of Delivery of Rural Legal ServicesRural Legal Services. . (7(7thth Recommendation)Recommendation)
Local Task Force can be launched with a public forum to get input on priority needs
Task forces might include representatives from:• legal aid providers and local bar associations;• local courts and self-help centers;• county law libraries; and• other community organizations who also
assist underserved clients.
Task forces can play a Task forces can play a key ongoing coordination key ongoing coordination role role toto::
evaluate and begin addressing the priorities unique to each community;
identify gaps and target services for isolated, underserved groups;
expand the availability of legal aid and self-help services locally;
work to improve language access; develop methods to effectively
collaborate with urban partners; andattract funding because of
collaboration.
Panelists’ Contact Information:Shari Duncan [email protected] Kathy Eppright [email protected] Vanessa Uribe [email protected] Herb Whitaker [email protected]
Report available at www.calbar.ca.gov/rural or call 415 538-2143 to have a report mailed to you.
