The Legal Services Corporation is the single largest funder of civil legal services in the nation. Established by Congress, LSC operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. The grants are awarded to nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The legal aid programs address the civil legal needs of the elderly, veterans and military families, victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, tenants and homeowners facing foreclosure or eviction, victims of natural disasters, and others.

New York Times Article Highlights Consequences for Individuals Facing Civil Matters Without Legal Help

Fifty years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that an individual accused of a crime has a constitutional right to counsel even if they cannot afford to pay an attorney.. But what happens to poor people facing grave outcomes in civil matters?

As part of its coverage of Gideon’s golden anniversary, The New York Times looks at the sometimes-devastating consequences of lack of access to counsel in civil legal matters.

New York Times Article Highlights Consequences for Individuals Facing Civil Matters Without Legal Help

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