Attention Access to Justice Leaders - ABA Day
Standing Committee on Legal Aid & Indigent Defendants Chair Deborah Hankinson urges state access to justice leaders to attend ABA Day in Washington, April 15-17, 2008. Click here for details

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 Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives: The ABA has launched a new support service for state access to justice commisions and similar entities, and for state advocates for legal services funding.
      - Resource Center Home Page

 Civil Standards: The ABA House of Delegates adopted new Standards for civil legal aid programs on August 7, 2006.
      - Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid (1 MB PDF)

 Civil Right to Counsel: The ABA House of Delegates adopted a resolution urging adoption of a civil right to counsel.
      - Civil Right to Counsel Resolution (93 KB PDF)

 Principles of a Civil Legal Aid System: The ABA House of Delegates adopted 10 key elements of a civil legal aid system.
      - ABA Principles of a State System for the Delivery of Civil Legal Aid (64 KB PDF)

 ABA Ethics Opinion on Defender Caseloads: The Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has issued Formal Opinion 06-441: Ethical Obligations of Lawyers Who Represent Indigent Criminal Defendants When Excessive Caseloads Interfere With Competent and Diligent Representation. Click the link to download a free copy of the opinion.

 Read Legal Services Now!
      - The bimonthy newsletter provides brief updates on legal services developments around the nation.

 Gideon's Broken Promise: America's Continuing Quest for Equal Justice
      - A Report on the American Bar Association's Hearings on the Right to Counsel in Criminal Proceedings

 Please join the ABA Grassroots Action Team!
      - Thank you to all ABA advocates for providing strong support for funding for the Legal Services Corporation!
      - If you are not yet involved, please join us in this important work to obtain adequate funding for LSC.