Access to Justice: The Power of Partnerships SCLA Conference October 21, 2015

ATJ and Libraries: What’s Going on and Why

Where do they go? Libraries Law is specialized, and Public, academic, law SC does not have a state law library or a system of public (county) law libraries Law is specialized, and Researchers seeking to represent themselves present ethical issues of Privacy Confidentiality Duty to avoid UPL

Collaborate & Form Partnerships Paul D. Healey, Legal Reference for Librarians: How and Where to Find the Answers 22 (2014).

http://guides.law.sc.edu/CircuitRiders/

Partnerships

SC ATJ Commissioners Governor’s Office SC Senate SC House of Representatives State and Federal Judges Court Administration Private Attorneys Public Interest Attorneys Corporate Attorneys

One Stop Portal Legal Representation and Online Intake SC Legal Services SC Bar Pro Bono Other legal assistance (P&A, Charleston PB Legal, LCLV, etc.) SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service Prepaid Legal Services Self-Help Resources Topical Legal Information SC Courts SC Legal Services SC Bar SC Bar Foundation SC Governor’s Office SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center USC School of Law Library USC School of Law/Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center for Professionalism SC Center for Fathers and Families Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Charleston School of Law SC Bar Young Lawyer’s Division And others as identified

Other SCATJC Partnerships Self-Help Centers Newberry County Pilot Program (2011-2014) Stay Tuned Forms and Interactive Form Packets Divorce Child Support Visitation (coming soon) SHC – possibly in Charleston and Lexington Counties Forms/Interactive – SCLS, SCATJ, Court Administration, SC Bar Family Law Section, SC Center for Fathers and Families, DSS

Other Partnerships Medical-Legal Partnerships Pro Bono Legal Clinics Diversionary Courts/Programs Medical Legal Variety of models – in hospital, at health fairs, onsite one day per week/month, referrals only Pro Bono – MUST have entry into the program either LATIS or private atty, then program to monitor hours, case assistance, provide malpractice, etc. Legal Clinics Lawyers4Vets (Appleseed, VA, private attorneys) Done in a Day (SC Bar Pro Bono, USC School of Law Pro Bono, Private Attorneys, Government Agencies) Wills (Lt. Gov’s Office on Aging) Diversionary Courts Mental Health Court Drug Court (NOT for Criminal Domestic Violence charges, violent offenses, and circumstances indicating a hx of drug dealing) Homeless Court Veterans Court Alcohol Education Program (17-20 charged w/alcohol-related offenses) – Pre-Trial Intervention Program – Traffic Education Program – Youth Arbitration Program – DUI Treatment Court CHANGE – 1st time juvenile offenders non-violent crimes, cost $30, attend jail tour & CHANGE classes, One page apology letter to victim(s) Possibly Elder Court

Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries As the nation struggled through a historic recession, nearly one-third of the U.S. population over the age of 14 used library Internet computers and those in poverty relied on these resources even more. Key Uses of Library Computers The study explored eight areas where people reported using library computers in the past 12 months: (1) education, (2) employment, (3) health and wellness, (4) accessing government and legal services and information, (5) participating in community life, (6) managing household finances, (7) entrepreneurship, and (8) building and maintaining social connections. The most commonly reported use was social connection, which included connecting with family and friends, finding support for an issue or problem, as well as leisure activities such as watching videos, pursuing hobbies, or maintaining blogs and personal websites. Library patrons reported using computers and the Internet to address a range of basic needs. The three most common uses were: education (42 percent), employment (40 percent), and health (37 percent). https://docs.gatesfoundation.org/Documents/OpportunityForAll.pdf

Recommendations Partner with libraries for: Comprehensive broadband deployment and adoption strategies. Economic and workforce development strategies. Broader educational opportunities for K–12 students and adults. Disseminating health and wellness information. Serving as points of access for eGovernment services. Technology services that build communities. https://docs.gatesfoundation.org/Documents/OpportunityForAll.pdf

Let’s Hear from you

What Partnerships have you formed in your library? What ideas do you have for new collaborations? Are you interested in a SCLA Legal Reference Roundtable? Survey

Terrye Conroy University of South Carolina Coleman Karesh Law Library conroyt@law.s.edu Robin Wheeler SC Access to Justice Commission robin.wheeler@scbar.org