Innovations Conference 2018 — Why Location Matters: GIS for Justice

How does geography influence accessibility to civil legal aid and civil courts? Research is showing that distance to services is a significant factor. Demographics and technology access also vary across a state, so it is crucial to understand the needs of your court users and the distribution of resources. In this session, attendees saw the latest Geographic Information System (GIS) applications being developed at a national and state scale by staff at the Self-Represented Litigation Network (SRLN) and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). They learned how LSC is using GIS analysis to map drive-time areas 30- and 60-minutes out from its grantees’ office locations, and infusing those areas with demographic characteristics of income eligible populations. The session also showcased SRLN projects in support of state strategic planning, process simplification, and courts’ understanding of the diverse needs of court users.