If you have watched a semi-decent courtroom drama, you know that the Constitution guarantees legal counsel for criminal proceedings to be appointed if the accused does not have the means to afford one.
But what about cases that are not criminal, such as immigration, tenant rights or other civil legal issues?
Lincoln is home to several organizations — like the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, Legal Aid of Nebraska and the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance — that provide or help pair those in need with legal services for little to no cost.
“Sometimes we have grant funds to pay attorneys to take cases on a reduced fee basis, but it’s still free to the victim of crime, especially in issues of domestic violence,” said Shannon Seim, the director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project.
According to a 2022 Legal Services Corporation study, which took national information from legal aid organizations, 74% of low-income households experienced at least one civil …