In one of my e-alerts I saw where the Texas Access to Justice Foundation funded a YouTube video to help low-income self-represented litigants navigate the court system. I viewed the video and was duly impressed. While some of the information will vary for self-represented litigants in South Carolina, the video does provide good general information about what to expect in court.
Here’s the video:
Congratulations Texas!
-RFW
You may remember a quick announcement on the blog about the Newberry County Self-Help Center Pilot Program back in February. Well I’m pleased to say that the Newberry County Self-Help Center has regular operating hours – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 1st Wednesday of every month.
The Center is located inside the main courthouse, just past security on the right. There are brochures available to the public and a list of clinics and other public offerings will be available to those interested.
Thanks.
~ RFW
It’s that time again. Time to review the current blog theme and see if you, the readers, are content with the current theme OR to see if you’d prefer something different.
Please review the following 3 choices and vote:
CHOICE #1:
CHOICE #2:
CHOICE #3:
Please vote in the COMMENTS section.
Thanks.
-RFW
The South Carolina Courts’ Self-Help Page now offers FAQs (General Questions, Circuit Court and Family Court) and an explanation about what court staff can and cannot in Spanish!
And many thanks to student volunteers with the USC School of Law’s Pro Bono Program and the kind folks at HABLA!
-RFW
Below is a video I made based on the recent FAQs for Magistrates Court published on the South Carolina Judicial Department’s Self-Help Resources page.
Please take a look and let me know what you think.
Thanks.
-RFW
The SC Access to Justice Commission is pleased to collaborate with the SC School for the Deaf and Blind (SCSDB), SC Court Administration, the SC Association of the Deaf (SCAD), the SC Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (SCRID), SC Legal Services (SCLS), the SC Bar Public Services Division, and Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. (P&A) to ensure that all Deaf South Carolinians have equal access to the civil court system.
Part of that collaboration was to increase the number of qualified American Sign Language Interpreters in the courts. Well, as you may recall, last summer, the SCSDB partnered with Richland County to help 25 sign language interpreters work toward nationally recognized legal certification. And earlier this month, that’s exactly what occurred.
From January 6, 2011 through January 9, 2011, 25 sign language interpreters gathered in Richland County for “Foundations of Court Interpreting” by Carla Mathers, who is licensed to practice law in Maryland and D.C. and holds a Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC) and a Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L) and has written a book about legal interpreting.
And the collaborators remain committed to providing quality sign language interpretation in the courts.
And many thanks to The State for its coverage of this topic!
-RFW
Earlier today, the Supreme Court of South Carolina approved Frequently Asked Questions in South Carolina Magistrates Court. The FAQs have now been added to the South Carolina Judicial Department’s Self Help Resources page.
-RFW
Elliott Tait is currently a 2L, taking Wills, Trusts and Estates, Constitutional Law II, Problems in Professional Responsibility, Transnational Law, and Poverty Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is also a member of the Pro Bono Board and the Moot Court Bar.
When asked about his favorite class, Eliott replied “I really enjoy Poverty Law, taught by Professor Patterson. It’s a class that analyzes the major policies relating to the poor, and it has certainly opened my eyes to the good things that government has been able to facilitate as well as the many things they could improve upon.”
While at the law school, he has checked in from time to time with Pamela DeFanti Robinson, the school’s Pro Bono Program Director. Through this program, he has been able to volunteer in a number of ways, with a memorable volunteer experience teaching a few CHOICES classes at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The curriculum is meant to give the kids in DJJ practical and accessible knowledge of the law. In particular, Elliott references the day he taught a lesson on law enforcement. At the beginning of the class the kids were very cynical and even hostile toward anything surrounding the idea of police officers. By the end of the class, however, a few of the kids were able to really put themselves in the shoes of police officers and begin to understand the reasons behind their conduct. The simple acknowledgment that “maybe cops aren’t as bad as I think” was a huge victory.
Currently, he is providing Pro Bono assistance by working with the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission’s Self-Represented Litigant Committee under the supervision of Stephanie Nye, Counsel to the Chief Justice. This Committee is working to implement the state’s first self-help centers, which will provide resources to self-represented litigants. Specifically Elliott is helping to draft and edit self-help centers’ guidelines. Additionally he is also drafting a resource list which contains relevant contact information and links to resources that for self-represented litigants.
When asked whether this particular Pro Bono experience has given him any surprises, he noted “I have been surprised at the level of opposition to self-help centers in some counties. I understand some feelings of caution about the idea, but outright opposition is surprising.”
He continued “I have learned about the real value in providing services to self-represented litigants. It’s a shame that South Carolina is many years behind other states in providing such services.”
Elliott also noted that his pro bono experience working with the SC Access to Justice Commission “has simply reaffirmed that the practice of law is a great way to serve others, as there is great need.”
As to his future?
“At this stage I see myself going into some form of public service.”
And what would he tell other law students about his experience?
“Pro Bono work has always been interesting, unique, challenging, and rewarding. It has really enriched my law school experience, and I plan to make it a significant part of my professional career.”
-RFW
The South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Committee and the South Carolina Supreme Court Access to Justice (SCATJ) Commission are seeking input on proposed changes to Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (SCACR 407).
This rule concerns the provision of pro bono service to individuals of limited means or public service/charitable organizations. The proposed changes include the creation of a reporting mechanism for pro bono hours and a requirement that those hours be reported to the Bar.
Pro bono participation remains voluntary.
Click here to view the proposed changes to the rule. Should Rule 6.1 be amended in the future, the Bar would provide additional information to facilitate the reporting.
Please send comments on the proposed changes to Cindy Coker, Public Services Director or Stuart Andrews, Vice- Chair of the SCATJ Commission.
Comments should be received no later than Friday, November 5.
Today is the last day to register for an exciting event in Charleston on Thursday, September 23rd.
For attorneys, this is a great opportunity to attend a Continuing Legal Education Event to learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its impact over the past 20 years.
The Agenda:
The ADA: Olmstead and Beyond – Elizabeth Priaulx, National Disability Rights Network
The ADA and State Budget Cuts: North Carolina’s Experience – John Rittelmeyer, Disability Rights North Carolina
The ADA and Medicaid Issues: Georgia’s Experience – Joshua Norris, Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc.
The ADA and State Delivery of Services – Panel Discussion
The ADA and the Fair Housing Act: Aging in the Community – Susan Ann Silverstein, AARP Foundation Litigation
The ADA as Civil Rights Litigation: Class Actions and Attorneys’ Fees Issues – Armand Derfner, Derfner Altman & Wilborn
How Do We Maintain the Momentum? – Panel Discussion
Details:
For the public, this event offers a special evening of celebration and a chance to meet some passionate disability advocates with a presentation by Samuel Bagenstos. And the reception is free. Registration is required however.
Both these events offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate 20 years of the ADA! Please join us in the celebration!
For more information, please visit http://www.pandasc.org/.
Hope to see you there!
-RFW
SC Access To Justice Weblog 