Pro Se
Outcry By Family Lawyers, Solos Nixes Self-Help Clinic
Posted Aug 12, 2008, 10:57 am CST
By Molly McDonough
There may be a trend nationally to establish more self-help centers in courthouses and public spaces to aid those who are choosing the pro se route in court. But not in Texas.
A pilot program meant to test the self-help waters in San Antonio is sunk.
The center, which in pilot form was staffed by two lawyers and housed in law library of the Bexar County Courthouse, drew strong opposition from area practitioners, Texas Lawyer reports.
The initial project was championed by 407th District Judge Karen H. Pozza and some San Antonio Bar Association leaders. Permanent funding for the clinic would have come from an $11 increase to local filing fees.
But, Texas Lawyer reports, approval of the project "led to an uproar among solos and other attorneys who practice family law in Bexar County courts."
With that, court commissioners reversed, and the two lawyers and clerk hired to staff the clinic are out of jobs.
Judge Pozza said commissioners missed the boat.
"I'm absolutely blindsided by the response, disappointed and stunned," is quoted saying, adding that the majority of pro se filers are low-income, can't afford an attorney and need help.
"We are here to make the system work for the public," she says. "It is not here to serve us."
Earlier:
ABAJournal.com: "Popular Self-Help Clinic Fielded 43,000 Inquiries in ‘07"
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Comments
Posted by CJT - 3 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 22 hours, 4 minutes ago
What these “self-help” people don’t take into account is that pro se filers often take far longer and do worse in court than those with lawyers. In addition they clog up already filled dockets and justice moves slower for everyone. That some poeple have to go pro se is an sad reality, but lawyers shouldn’t be encouraging people to do it instead we should all be willing to do more pro bono or reduced fee work for the public good.
Posted by khazeh - 3 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 50 minutes ago
Are you really arguing that people who can afford lawyers instead choose to appear pro se because there’s a self-help center available? That’s ludicrous