ABA President Urges Lawmakers to Refrain from Cuts to Legal Services Corporation and Federal Courts
Legal Services E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Author: American Bar Association
Source: Press Release, “ABA Urges Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to Maintain Adequate Funding for Civil Legal Services and the Federal Courts”
Date: October 21, 2011
The ABA writes in a press release: “American Bar Association President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III urged the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction in a letter today to ‘maintain adequate funding for civil legal services and the U.S. federal court system, even during this most difficult economic time.’ Robinson insisted the Committee reject any proposals for major reductions in Legal Services Corporation funding, and to retain funding for federal courts at or close to current levels. While noting that the ABA shares the same goal of reducing the deficit and ensuring economic recovery for the country, Robinson urged the Committee to recognize that access to justice is essential for preserving freedom and the rule of law. ‘The entire justice system is diminished when funding cuts threaten the ability of individuals—particularly low-income and vulnerable populations—to gain access to legal services and the courts,’ he explained. Robinson noted that more than 63 million low-income residents, including 22 million children, are eligible for assistance through LSC-supported offices across the country. He wrote that the LSC, currently funded at $398.5 million, has faced more than a $20 million reduction in funding over the past two fiscal years while other sources of legal services funding—including state appropriations, private giving and Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts—have also declined. ‘Further LSC budget cuts at this critical time would gravely undermine the ability for those Americans who are most in need—including many veterans, individuals with disabilities and the elderly—to access legal assistance to help resolve major challenges,’ Robinson added. LSC-supported programs often assist low-income families with foreclosures, unemployment, domestic violence and bankruptcy issues.”