I'm trying to come up with creative ideas whereby legal services for indigent and low income people can be available. Besides legal aid places and assigned public defenders, what could be offered and how could a program like this be put into place? I'm not talking about criminal cases, but regular civil cases where a person should be able to seek legal recourse, but doesn't have the funds to hire a lawyer.
One thought I had was to allow third year law students to assist these people, pro bono, with supervision of an attorney. Another idea was to make it mandatory for firms to do a percentage of pro bono cases per year. Details, of course haven't been worked through on these ideas, but does anyone have other thoughts or ideas?
2006-12-17 06:08:25 · 10 answers · asked by oldyogi 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Won't work. You can not find an attorney to do what you want for free. Besides if they go to the welfare type agencies they put them in contact with legal aide.
2006-12-17 06:14:25 · answer #1 · answered by taxidriver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with you but would you be able to control what "clients" they took. We have a legal aid place here for low income people.. They have 5 attorneys..4 do nothing but divorces..1 does every thing else but only works part time...I have tried 2 x to use their services (I am ss disability)..I am always told that they don't have enough staff to take my case.. Why do they need 4 divorce attorneys..What good does it have to have a legal aid place if they won't take any cases..I have many people here say that they needed their assistance and have gotten the same response. I think law students and doctors alike should have to do pro bono as part of their licensing procedure but most of them think that they are too GOOD to help the poor and it's not going to happen
2006-12-17 06:47:39 · answer #2 · answered by chilover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your trying to get law students into trouble, unknowingly of course. A person who has not passed the Bar exam cannot give legal advice, let alone practice law. It would be nice if civil cases were like criminal and you get counsel to represent you, however, many attorneys do Pro Bo-no work for indigent and low income persons, and others that practice litigation generally work on a contingency basis. Keep in mind though, even though you have a right to counsel in criminal proceedings, it's only guaranteed for the critical stages of trial, and there is no where in the Constitution that guarantees legal representation for an appeal. That is a right given by the States and not all States I might add.
2006-12-17 06:47:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is already mandatory for lawyers to do pro bono work each year. Criminal that is. Civil cases don't theaten our rights, so there hasn't been a provision made for such things. It's entirely possible that a charity could be started for such a program. It's a huge task to accomplish and should you decide to do so, I wish you luck. I am quite sure if such a charity existed, people from all walks of life would donate. Especially those that were in a position where they needed help and none was available. Good Luck!
2006-12-17 08:44:28 · answer #4 · answered by Mary J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been trying to get child support for my twin girls for two years now without success. Someone told me that if I hired a lawyer, I could have gotten it real fast. I filed my petition thru the same office that does it for welfare recipients, but i'm not on welfare. I think my file stays at the bottom of the pile because the state wants to get money back for children the state is supporting. I've been told the delays are in part due to the respondent living out of state. Anyway, I don't have money to hire a lawyer. I'm "working poor," barely making it. If you come up with anythng, let me know. I'd love to hear any advice. I live in Georgia, and the father lives in New York. trevalg@hotmail.com
2006-12-17 06:47:47 · answer #5 · answered by just_treva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had similar thoughts, where law students would be required to complete a percentage of pro bono or legal aid work to obtain licensure in the city. requiring law firms that handle large commercial cases to perform pro bono work each year is a great idea.
2006-12-17 06:15:15 · answer #6 · answered by cami 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make a requirement for people to do PRO BONO work in order to pay off Law School Loans.
2006-12-17 06:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by Smacks 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
great ideas,but were i live the big law firms do alot of pro-bono work,but if you live in a smaller city that doesn't do this then i would suggest,gather these students(law)or any1 that wants 2 b involved.& get as many signatures to make these firms around u do what ur speaking about.(also a key they can use it as a write off)go to ur local city concil ask them,how many signatures u need to reforce(cotact the gen public with knowledge ask 4 the help) ,also go to these firms,(only talk to the persons in charge)otherwise u'll get bonced around.connect urself to these people & make it there concern & u'll get great effects.
2006-12-17 06:23:16 · answer #8 · answered by cleo 888 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its too bad that Law has turned into a bunch of contrived mumbo-jumbo that the ordinary person cant even defend himself in a court of law without a lawyer. Good for the Lawyers--bad for the majority of society.
2006-12-17 06:12:52 · answer #9 · answered by mickey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is criminal help for low earnings families, i'm specific a speedy google seek for "low earnings criminal help" on your area provide you the outcomes you're searching for. yet whilst it particularly is a substantial chain food market i would not waste it sluggish. No professional bono criminal expert is going to conquer an entire on criminal team. as properly, if the eligibility standards say she needs to take the try, she needs to take the try. Dyslexia would not rely.
2016-10-18 10:04:51 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋