Closing the Justice Gap

Eighty percent of low income people have trouble obtaining legal representation in court to protect their property, family, and livelihood, especially when dealing with housing, unpaid wages, domestic violence, and public benefits. The foreclosure crisis exemplifies how lack of access to legal representation can lead to financial losses that are felt across the economy.

By working to close this “justice gap,” the Brennan Center aims to ensure that everyone has equal access to an effective and fair civil court system to protect their basic human rights.

To read about the program’s latest work, read the latest Justice Update e-newsletter here.

Sign up to receive the Justice Update here.

Recent Research

How the Sequester Will Take Its Toll on Access to Justice
Andrew Cohen

The vast majority of poor Americans cannot afford attorneys to help them in basic civil cases. Although the Obama administration's latest budget includes increased legal services funding, it is still not nearly enough to do what needs to be done to help low-income families.

April 15, 2013
Justice for All
Closing the Justice Gap
The Growing War on the War on Drugs
Andrew Cohen

In America today, 2.3 million people are in jail or prison, 6 million if you count people on probation or out on parole. Over a quarter of our nation’s population (65 million) have a criminal record. None of this is acceptable in a civilized nation, yet it's all fixable if our leaders exercise the will to do so.

March 25, 2013
Justice for All
Ending Mass Incarceration
Closing the Justice Gap

Recent Blog Posts

Public Housing Authorities Need Better Guidance on Dealing with Criminal Records

Meghna Philip

Improving access to stable housing is critical to supporting successful reentry of the formerly incarcerated. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development needs to provide stronger guidance to help minimize exclusions of those with criminal records from public housing.

April 22, 2013

Justice for All

Closing the Justice Gap

Banks Not Doing Enough on Foreclosure Crisis

Mark Ladov

Horror stories abound of lenders losing homeowners’ documents, mishandling requests for assistance, or denying solutions without explanation.

September 12, 2012

Closing the Justice Gap

Recent Litigation

In re: Mortgage Foreclosure Cases (Amicus Brief)

The Brennan Center filed an amicus brief in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the Rhode Island district court’s settlement conference process. The program, which is being challenged by some bankers, helps borrowers and lenders negotiate affordable loan modification that restore value to distressed mortgage loans and keep families in their homes.

January 14, 2013
Closing the Justice Gap
Turner v. Rogers (Amicus Brief)

The Brennan Center, along with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Southern Center for Human Rights, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of a petitioner seeking the right to counsel in civil contempt proceedings where he or she faces incarceration.

June 20, 2011
Closing the Justice Gap

Brennan Center for Justice

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