Most people are familiar with a criminal defendant's 6th Amendment right to have an attorney assist in their defense in felony cases, even if they cannot afford legal representation. However, a key aspect of the American justice system that is often overlooked by the media, TV shows and movies is our noncriminal legal system (our court system refers to noncriminal cases as civil cases). With some exceptions, most people involved in civil cases do not have a right to be represented by an attorney. This is true even though the stakes in civil proceedings are often exceedingly high, ranging from the prospect of home foreclosure to seeking protection from domestic violence.
Wisconsin used to provide state funding for civil legal services to low-income people. However, Governor Walker's first budget in 2011 shifted all of the state funding for civil legal services that were provided by a legal surcharge to other programs. This cut approximately $2.5 million per year in funding for civil legal services. In fact, Wisconsin is only one of three state in the country that does not provide any state funding for civil legal services. Florida and Idaho are the other two.
Civil legal aid providers in Wisconsin assist a wide array of low-income clients, including victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, senior citizens and children. They provide assistance in family law, disability insurance, health insurance, consumer protection, and many other vitally important legal areas.
Civil legal aid agencies also provide essential legal representation for women. For instance, one civil legal aid agency in Wisconsin served 9,772 women clients the previous two years, 2,480 of whom were victims of domestic violence.
The Governor's current proposed budget does not include any restoration of direct state funding for civil legal aid. However, civil legal aid providers are asking for $10 million over the biennium ($5 million per year) for legal services to low-income families and individuals. We will certainly keep on eye on these important efforts and provide relevant updates now that the Joint Committee on Finance is beginning to hold public hearings on the Governor's proposed budget and will likely start voting on specific budget provisions in the relatively near future.
Wisconsin used to provide state funding for civil legal services to low-income people. However, Governor Walker's first budget in 2011 shifted all of the state funding for civil legal services that were provided by a legal surcharge to other programs. This cut approximately $2.5 million per year in funding for civil legal services. In fact, Wisconsin is only one of three state in the country that does not provide any state funding for civil legal services. Florida and Idaho are the other two.
Civil legal aid providers in Wisconsin assist a wide array of low-income clients, including victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, senior citizens and children. They provide assistance in family law, disability insurance, health insurance, consumer protection, and many other vitally important legal areas.
Civil legal aid agencies also provide essential legal representation for women. For instance, one civil legal aid agency in Wisconsin served 9,772 women clients the previous two years, 2,480 of whom were victims of domestic violence.
The Governor's current proposed budget does not include any restoration of direct state funding for civil legal aid. However, civil legal aid providers are asking for $10 million over the biennium ($5 million per year) for legal services to low-income families and individuals. We will certainly keep on eye on these important efforts and provide relevant updates now that the Joint Committee on Finance is beginning to hold public hearings on the Governor's proposed budget and will likely start voting on specific budget provisions in the relatively near future.
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