NCJ Number
19681
Date Published
1975
Length
309 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEM OF LAW AND POVERTY, THE POLITICS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION IWTHIN THE COMMUNITY, AND AN OVERVEIW OF THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM OF THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
Abstract
A BRIEF SURVEY OF POVERTY IN THE UNITED STATES IS FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION OF THE EXTEND AND NATURE OF LEGAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE POOR. CONSIDERATION OF ONE ASPECT OF THIS DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRIBUTION OF LEGAL SERVICES, EXAMINES THE TRADITIONAL RESPONSE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION TO THE CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS OF THE POOR OLD-LINE LEGAL AID - AND CONTRASTS THIS WITH THE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY'S LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM, CREATED IN 1965. SURVEY DATA IS THEN PRESENTED ON THE RESPONSE OF THE LOCAL BENCH TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (OEO) LEGAL SERVICES AS SEEN IN THE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR OF A SMALL GROUP OF JUDGES IN THE BAY AREA OF CALIFORNIA. ALSO INCLUDED ARE TWO CASE STUDIES OF LOCAL BAR RESPONSE, CORRESPONDING TO THE TWO BASIC OEO DELIVERY SYSTEMS - THE CONVENTIONAL, STAFFED NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM AND THE CHIEF ALTERNATIVE, JUDICARE. SOME NATIONAL ISSUES RAISED BY THE PROGRAM ARE ALSO EXPLORED.