The State of Access to Justice in Oregon

Oregon State Bar - 020084

Abstract Number: 020084

September 2002

"The State of Access to Justice in Oregon" reports the results of a comprehensive legal needs assessment study conducted during 1999 and 2000 in Oregon to determine the legal needs and the ability for existing programs to meet the legal needs of low and moderate income Oregonians. The report surveyed 1,011 lower income households, 23 judges, 107 lawyers, and 81 social service providers from around the state. With the assistance of Portland State University, surveyors collected information, primarily in person, from a broad cross section of lower income Oregonians to determine if respondents experienced any civil legal problems in the past year, and if so, how they attempted to resolve the problem or what prevented them from addressing the problem. Finally, surveyors inquired about the respondent's attitudes towards the legal system as a result of the experience.

To ensure accuracy, the survey specifically sought out lower income segments of the population that have unique barriers to the justice system and those who have significant legal needs. The survey specifically targeted Latinos, Native-Americans, African-Americans, disabled persons, domestic abuse survivors, farm workers, immigrants, the homeless, persons in mental hospitals, persons in jails or prisons, the isolated rural poor, vulnerable senior citizens and more. In addition to gathering information from lower income persons, this needs assessment study also surveyed judges, lawyers, individuals who work in social services, community leaders, and legal services providers to discern how to best deliver services to those in need.

The final part of the study assessed the capacity of existing legal services providers to meet the legal needs of low and moderate income persons in Oregon. The section begins with a brief overview of the poverty law providers in Oregon which range from LSC funded programs such as Legal Aid Services of Oregon to issued based legal services programs such as the Fair Housing Council of Oregon and examines their capacity to deliver services. The study concludes that, due to insufficient funds, only 17.8% of low-income people's legal needs that require a lawyer are being met by the current system. Statistics such as this provide the reader with an idea of the vast unmet civil legal needs that exist and the serious barriers that must be overcome to extend service delivery to meet the critical needs of the client community.

This project was sponsored by the Oregon State Bar, the Oregon Judicial Department, and the Office of Governor John Kitzhaber. To access the "The State of Access to Justice in Oregon" as a PDF document, click on the text below.

Contact Information:

M. Kay Pulju
Communications Manager
Oregon State Bar
5200 SW Meadows Road
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
Phone: (503) 620-0222 ext. 402
kpulju@osbar.org

Additional Information:

• "The State of Access to Justice in Oregon," 2000 ( 589k)

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