Pee Dee residents are invited to voice their opinions about the state’s court system and the availablity of legal representation Thursday during a hearing at the Florence City-County Complex.
The hearing is part of a series, conducted by the S.C. Access to Justice Commission, being held at several locations in the state. The hearings are designed to help low- and middle-income residents overcome the barriers they encounter while trying to get legal representation within the civil legal system, according to a press release from the commission.
Residents of modest means often find themselves in a tough place because they can’t afford to pay an attorney, but don’t qualify for free or reduced-cost legal services. The commission’s executive director, Robin Wheeler, said in a press release she is aware many state residents fall into this category.
“I realize that not all South Carolinians meet poverty guidelines, but many may be living just above the federal poverty guidelines,” she said.
Thursday’s hearing is a platform where these residents, also know as the “working poor,” can speak out and give the agency suggestions on how to serve them.
“People qualifying for this may earn only $50 more than somebody else who qualifies for legal services representation,” Wheeler said. “These individuals are caught in a system where they make too much money to qualify for legal services and too little to afford other legal representation.”
Commission officials have discovered that there may be things aside from income issues barring people from obtaining appropriate representation for legal matters, Wheeler said. It could be illiteracy, no disability accessibility, no transportation to courthouses or language barriers that affect the legal process for some.
Those interested in participating in Thursday’s hearing will have about seven minutes to speak. American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be present.
Thursday’s hearing will be the fourth conducted by the commission since April 10. The final hearing will be June 26 in Spartanburg County.
The S.C. Access to Justice Commission was established in January 2007, making South Carolina the the 27th state to implement an access to justice initiative.
For more information or to register to speak at the hearing, contact Wheeler at (803) 576-3808 or rwheeler@scbar.org.
If you’re going
What: S.C. Access to Justice Commission public hearing to address barriers in legal representation
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: Florence City-County Complex, 180 N. Irby St., Florence
Info: Contact Robin Wheeler at (803) 576-3808 or rwheeler@scbar.org
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