Category Archives: Access to Justice Generally

Court Simplification — Steps to Reduce Costs and Intrustiveness of Family Investigators — An Interesting Pioneer Step By the Colorado Supreme Court

Posted on April 22, 2011 by richardzorza

As reported by the Colorado Bar’s Legal Connection Blog, the Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice has modified, effective April 2011, the Directive on Child and Family Investigations, Chief Justice Directive 04-08. As the blog summarizes the changes they will: “Establish … Continue reading →

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From Russia for Justice — Alternative Models for Access to Justice In Draft Bill

Posted on April 19, 2011 by richardzorza

Whether it is a message about universality, yet another underlining of how out of step we are in the US, but the Russian Ministry of Justice, we hear from the Access to Justice Blog, has published a draft law on … Continue reading →

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Professor Tribe at LSC

Posted on April 14, 2011 by richardzorza

Yesterday Prof. Larry Tribe spoke at LSC to the Board and others. Here are my own impressionistic thoughts of what for me were the highlights. News on Replacement: Prof. Tribe reported that the process for replacing him is moving forward, … Continue reading →

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Quick Budget Update — 2011 Continuing Resolution Detail

Posted on April 12, 2011 by richardzorza

Here is a quick access to justice update (to the best of my understanding) of the implications in the Continuing Resolution agreed to by the President and House and Senate leadership.  It has not yet been passed in either chamber. … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Legal Aid | Comments Off on Quick Budget Update — 2011 Continuing Resolution Detail

Quick Clarification on Post About Judicial Discretion

Posted on April 11, 2011 by richardzorza

I have updated the prior blog about judicial discretion to include clarification from one of the co-authors on the frequency of releases at the end of sessions.  It is not quite as dramatic as in the quoted language — but … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

On the Predictabilty of Judicial Discretion — Implications for Judicial Education

Posted on April 11, 2011 by richardzorza

The Guardian is running a potentially very disturbing study about judicial decisions at parole hearings in Israel.  The study finds strong correlations between when in a session (relative to food breaks) a case is heard and the outcome.  The paper … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Judicial Ethics, Research and Evalation | Tagged | 3 Comments

Do We Have Too High a Tolerance for Error in the Justice System?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by richardzorza

One plane pops a hole, no one is seriously hurt, and, as there should be, there’s saturation media coverage, immediate inspections of a portion of the fleet, and deep soul searching about our preventive systems. But DNA exonerations suggest that … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Domestic Violence, Research and Evalation, Systematic Change, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Pro Bono By Governmet Employees During Shutdowns — Not So Simple — Potential Ethics Problems and Need for Prior Approval

Posted on April 7, 2011 by richardzorza

I have just received heard from Laura Klein, Pro Bono Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Chair of the Federal Government Pro Bono Program, on the issue of pro bono participation by attorneys during the possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 2 Comments

Government Shutdowns — Pro Bono Expansion Opportunity — But Subject to Federal Agency Prior Ethics Approval Under Ethics Rules

Posted on April 7, 2011 by richardzorza

APRIL 8 UPDATE: With the threat of immediate shutdown apparently averted, I have updated the language below slightly to be potentially relevant if the threat returns.  It might be a time for pro bono programs to consider contingency planning, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

Simplification — NYT Article on Suggested Process

Posted on April 6, 2011 by richardzorza

Simple article in NYT on how to make processes easier.  While aimed at the private sector, the lessons may be helpful to those trying to make forms simpler, and the processes of courts simpler to navigate. The simple solution for … Continue reading →

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Wordle Tool and More

Posted on April 2, 2011 by richardzorza

We have all seen those maps of words — indeed this blog uses one to display tags used in this blog. I have now found the free tool you can use to create your own.  Here it is (Wordle). You … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Tools | 2 Comments

Migration Policy Institute Data on Foreign Born as Planning Tool

Posted on April 1, 2011 by richardzorza

The Migration Policy Institute has a nice tool to get quick data (2009 ACS data) on foreign-born in the US, state by state. You click on a state, and then get basic information, together with links on topics such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, LEP, Tools | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Online Symposium on the Greiner/Pattanayak Paper on Impact of Offers of Representation

Posted on March 28, 2011 by richardzorza

Many of you will recall the intense interest that the recent pre-publication attention to the Greiner/Pattanayak Paper on Impact of Offers of Representation has triggered.  Here is an interview with Jim Gereiner on this blog.  The paper will be in … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Research and Evalation, Triage | Comments Off on Online Symposium on the Greiner/Pattanayak Paper on Impact of Offers of Representation

Mathematical Modeling — The Lessons of Politics

Posted on March 24, 2011 by richardzorza

Nate Silver, who is beyond brilliant, blogs for the New York Times, mainly on statistical prediction in politics and sport.  (He made his money in sport predictions and moved into politics.  He has what looks like a liberal bent from … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

Supreme Court Argument in Civil Gideon/Civil Contempt Case – Sufficiency of SRL Procedures Addressed in SC for First Time

Posted on March 23, 2011 by richardzorza

This may become very important. You can read the full transcript of today’s (March 23, 2011) oral argument on whether there is a right to counsel for those facing contempt incarceration for nonpayment of child support. It is fascinating, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Judicial Ethics, Self-Help Services, Supreme Court, Systematic Change | Tagged , | 1 Comment