When someone is accused of a crime, they have a constitutional right to an attorney, even if they cannot afford one. But this is not true for civil legal issues. In rural states like Nebraska, finding an affordable attorney who has the time and expertise for your case is even more difficult.
“A lot of folks are facing what we call the justice gap, they’re not able to access civil legal services.” says Danny Reynaga, “Many parts of Nebraska do not have practicing attorneys; in fact, 12 of our 93 counties don’t have a single attorney practicing in that county. Over the next few years, we’re expecting to add a couple more counties to that list. The ‘legal desert’ is the idea of not being able to find legal assistance or an attorney that can help you with your legal needs.”
Serving as the legal safety net for low-income Nebraskans who are at risk of homelessness, loss of income, denied essential benefits, or experiencing violence – Legal Aid of Nebraska helps people navigate the complexities of the justice system. There are nearly 300,000 people in Nebraska who qualify for free civil legal assistance.
