Criminal defendants have a right to a publicly funded attorney. That’s not true for parties to debt collection cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and divorce and custody matters. So they have to represent themselves.
Nora Ryan with Michigan Legal Help says self-help centers can help people navigate the legal system and protect their rights.
“We want the outcome of people’s cases to be based upon the merits of their case and not because they didn’t have the information they needed to fully advocate for themselves in court.”
Ryan says national data suggest three-quarters of people in civil cases show up in court without a lawyer.
Ultimately, the goal is that we would like to have every resident of Michigan regardless of where they live in the state to have access to a self-help center where they’re able to get high-quality accessible legal self-help services.
Michigan currently has 38 centers in 27 counties. Ryan says she expects there will be 57 centers in 30 counties by the end of the year. Many are located in public libraries and courthouses.
The reality of the legal system right now is that there is a large portion of people who are facing legal issues without the help of an attorney and that really is not the way the legal system is set up.”]
The goal is to set up more self-help centers in libraries, courthouses and other places where they can be easily accessed. Right now, Michigan has 38 centers in 27 counties. Ryan says she expects there will be 57 centers in 30 counties by the end of the year.
