Eau Claire (WQOW) - Innocent until proven guilty. Without money, that can be a steep hill to climb. Tuesday, a group made up of lawmakers, representatives of the court system and other government leaders came together. They're looking into how to expand access, so everyone who needs a lawyer in a civil case, can have one.
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission hosted a public hearing to learn more about that challenge. The Eau Claire Free Legal Clinic was just one of the many representatives there.
In Wisconsin, about sixty percent of people who go to court for a civil case, like a divorce, don't have an attorney with them.
Gregg Moore, the President of the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission, says, "Even though a lot of attorneys volunteer there time, providing a lot of pro bono services, in this state. It still is not enough to meet the needs."
"Lawyers cost money, or as in our case, we had to wait, until the mother screwed up so badly that the children, those little girls, who we did not know where they were... were neglected," says Eau Claire resident Emily Allen.
Allen shared this story about her grandchildren with the commission. She says,"There is a fear in my heart, that all our t's and all our little i's weren't crossed and dotted, and that one day their mother will come back and take them away."
Allen and her son went through the legal process to get custody without a lawyer.
"My son has signed some of the last pieces of paperwork, to let those kids be in his permanent, physical, placement. But, we're not quite sure. There might be more paperwork. And it would be nice to have a lawyer to walk us through it," says Allen.
Jeff Brown, the State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono coordinator, says, "Without public funding it is hard to make a dent, there are reasons why we have public funding for things like roads, and bridges, and court houses. Depending on something like basic charity for something like equal justice, is a uphill battle to argue with."
Allen says she would just like to see legal counseling come to places like the community table, where people who need the help can be found.
"That help has to be downtown where people go. The people that are poor," Allen says.
There are six public hearings held around the state... Once they wrap up, the commission will put a report together.
