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A: The need for legal aid in Alabama is dire. Unlike the criminal defense system, the constitutional guarantee of funding for low-income Alabamians who need civil legal assistance has not yet been met. The consequences of a lack of access to justice are devastating for the poor and weaken a democratic society as a whole. Last year more than 422,000 households experienced more than 733,000 legal issues. Low-income households had legal assistance for only about 16% of these legal problems.
Q: What kind of civil problems do these low-income families face?
A: A recent survey shows that 48% of low-income households in Alabama experienced one or more legal issues in 2006. The majority of these civil problems included: consumer issues (creditor harassment, utility nonpayment, bankruptcy issues), health issues (Medicaid, government insurance, nursing home), family law issues (divorce, child support/custody, abuse), employment issues (unemployment benefits, pension, lost job), and housing issues (unsatisfactory repairs, foreclosure, eviction, poor living conditions).
Q: How does improving the civil legal services of low-income residents help all Alabamians?
A: Improving the quality of civil legal services helps all residents of Alabama in a number of ways. First, it allows all residents to have equal and fair legal representation regardless of race, ethnic origin or income level. By providing civil legal services, thousands of legal matters can be resolved without actually tying up Alabama’s court system. In addition, many civil legal matters involving family matters that go unresolved can actually end up involving criminal issues due to a lack of resolution. By providing better civil legal services, many of these matters can be resolved before they escalate into criminal issues.
Q: So where can I get help or find out more about the program?
| A: If you are seeking help you can call: | |
| Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program: | 1.888.857.8571 |
| Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program: | 205.250.5198 |
| Legal Services Alabama: | 1.800.403.4872 1.877.393.2333 |
| Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program: | 251.438.1102 |
All Alabama residents are encouraged to learn more about the civil legal services offered and asked to spread the word in the community by promoting the Access to Justice Commission’s Web site in your local newsletter or church bulletin or discussing it in your neighborhood association meeting.
Q: I’m an attorney, what can I do to help?
A: Any attorney licensed in the state of Alabama is asked to donate his or her time or monetary resources to support the Commission and its goals. Many lawyers participate in “pro-bono” work each year, but more are needed. If all 15,000 plus members of the Alabama State Bar Association could volunteer some of their time each year, substantial improvements could be seen. If you are an attorney and would like to volunteer, please contact the Alabama State Bar Association.