The recently released 2015 Washington State Civil Legal Needs Study Update reveals a sharp increase in the average number of civil legal problems facing low-income people – from 3 to more than 9 per year – since the original 2003 Supreme Court study. The statewide survey of more than 1,600 households also shows that less than one quarter of those experiencing these problems receive any help, this as the number of Washington's poorest residents eligible for civil legal aid has risen to 1.25 million, a 40% increase since 2003. Communities of color – and especially children of color – suffer disproportionately as poverty rates for African Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos are essentially double the statewide rate. Other groups experiencing higher than average legal problems include disabled persons, unemployed persons, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
For more detailed analysis of the study such as the legal needs of domestic violence victims and other reports, visit the Office of Civil Legal Aid website.
Press Coverage:
- September 10, 2016, The Seattle Times, The injustice of underfunding civil legal aid
- February 12, 2016, Kitsap Sun, MY TURN | Access to legal aid must be funded
- February 3, 2016, Washington State Courts, Washington Supreme Court to learn about civil legal problems and lack of access to needed legal help experienced by low-income Washingtonians
- January 7, 2016, The News Tribune, Justice shouldn’t be denied to low-income citizens
- December 20, 2015, The Columbian, Rivers: Low-income residents deserve access to civil legal aid
- December 9, 2015, The Impact, TVW, Study: Low Income Family Face More Legal Problems without Help – video clip starts at 15:07
- December 9, 2015, The Herald of Everett, Legal needs of many low-income families not met
- December 8, 2015, The Seattle Times, ‘Justice for all’ threatened by inaction in Olympia
- November 18, 2015, The News Tribune: Attorneys hope to ease burden on poor of legal needs
- November 18, 2015, The Olympian: Attorneys hope to ease burden on poor of legal needs
- November 14, 2015, The Olympian: There’s truly big need for civil legal aid
- November 13, 2015, The Yakima Herald: There’s a surge in the need for civil legal services among people who are least able to pay
- November 12, 2015, The Wenatchee World: https://ejc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tracy-Warner-_-Equal-justice-is-still-our-promise.pdf
- November 11, 2015, The Union Bulletin: https://union-bulletin.com/news/2015/nov/11/states-poor-lack-access-legal-help/
- November 11, 2015, KREM.com: Former homeless Spokane woman looks to help others
- November 10; 2015, The Spokesman Review: Study: Most poor Washingtonians don’t get legal help they need
- November 10, 2015, GoSkagit.com: Study finds few low-income Washington residents get civil legal aid
- November 7, 2015, Penninsula Daily News: Washington state Supreme Court judges link injustice to financial inequality at Port Angeles seminar
- October 29, 2015, KUOW.org: Justice Gap For The Low Income Has Widened In Washington
- October 29, 2015, Crosscut.com: Help wanted: Attorneys
- October 29, 2015, Washington State University News: Study: Legal problems of poor triple in past decade