| Subject: *** South Dakota State Bar Panics *** |
| From: |
| Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2022 02:57:45 -0800 |
| To: "www.jail4judges.org" |
A measure headed for the 2006 general-election ballot that would make judges vulnerable to lawsuits stemming from their court decisions is a threat to the foundation of the judicial process, critics said Friday. [snip]
PIERRE - More than 250 South Dakota lawyers have already signed up to participate in a new State Bar program that will provide free legal services for poor people who are unable to get help elsewhere.
For decades, low-income people have been able to get free
legal help with civil cases from legal services programs. But a decline in
federal funding means that South Dakota's two legal services organizations
cannot help everyone who is eligible, Tom Barnett, secretary-treasurer of the
State Bar of South Dakota, said.
Those who meet income limits but are
unable to get help from the two legal services organizations will be able to
contact the new program, Access to Justice, which will seek to match them with
lawyers who have agreed to volunteer, Barnett said.
The State Bar and its
charitable arm, the South Dakota Bar Foundation, have hired Cheryl Hanna of
Mission to be the program's coordinator. Hanna, who has worked with Dakota
Plains Legal Services for the past 16 years, plans to have Access to Justice
operating by Feb. 1.
State Bar president Bob Riter said Hanna will spread
word about the project to lawyers and low-income people who need legal
assistance.
"We're really excited about Cheryl joining us. We're even
more excited about the opportunities we're going to have to serve people who
need to be served," Riter said.
Dakota Plains Legal Services, based in
Mission, and East River Legal Services, based in Sioux Falls, now provide free
legal help to low-income people in cases that deal with a wide range of issues,
such as adoption, child custody, domestic violence, health care and
finances.
Low-income people who cannot be served by the two legal
services organizations because of a lack of funding and staff will be able to
apply for help from Access to Justice.
Although more than 250 attorneys
have already agreed to take part, more lawyers are expected to join the program,
Barnett said.
Access to Justice not only will coordinate legal
representation for low-income people, but will also raise money to help Dakota
Plains and East River legal services, Barnett said.
The new organization
also will establish education and information programs for poor people and the
elderly.
"The elderly have a much tougher problem in dealing with legal
problems they can't afford than younger folks do," Barnett said.
Hanna
said lawyers can also mentor younger lawyers, including those working at the two
legal services organizations.
Students at the University of South Dakota
School of Law will volunteer their time to help with legal research and other
services, Hanna said.
Barnett said Access to Justice will have a budget
of about $100,000 in its first year.