FOCUS: Bridging the justice gap in Charleston County

By Alissa C. Lietzow, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services  |  Most people know that when you are charged with a crime, you are guaranteed legal representation if you do not have the financial means to pay for it yourself.

Lietzow

In fact, many of you can probably recite the Miranda rights from having watched Law & Order:

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

But what most people don’t consider – that is, until it happens to you – is that for other legal issues, no such guarantee exists. At Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, we are doing our part to bridge the justice gap by providing access to legal services to those who are currently underserved.

Consider a wife in an abusive relationship who needs a protective order and a divorce, but she cannot afford an attorney. Or consider the elderly gentlemen who is surviving on a fixed Social Security income of $800 per month who simply wants a will to preserve his last wishes. Or consider a family living paycheck to paycheck who suddenly faces having to probate the estate of a recently-deceased family member. With private attorneys charging anywhere from $200 to $500 per hour, legal counsel is simply out of reach for so many in our community.

Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, established as a 501(c)(3) in 2004, began operations in 2005 as a project of the Charleston County Bar Association. We are funded through various government and foundation grants, fundraisers, and private donations.  Our goal is to bridge the gap that separates low-income families from the benefits and protections of the justice system. We accomplish this by providing advice and counsel, preparing legal documents and harnessing the goodwill of local attorneys by asking them take cases pro bono.

For non-lawyers, “pro bono” in this context means “work undertaken for the public good without charge, especially legal work for a client with a low income.” You would be hard-pressed to find an attorney who doesn’t already have a full plate.  From the pressures of work, spending time with family, and serving on local committees and boards, Charleston County’s attorneys are busy! But it’s crucial that we remind them to occasionally look beyond the numbers and see people. As attorneys, we’ve all taken the Lawyer’s Oath, which includes this sentence:  “I will assist the defenseless or oppressed by ensuring that justice is available to all citizens and will not delay any person’s cause for profit . . . ”

Over the years, we’ve helped more than 16,000 people with the support of more than 400 attorneys. And the need has not dissipated. So far in 2016, we have more than 1,100 applications for our services. The need in our county is undeniable and immense.

You can help. Consider donating your time or talents. If you’re an attorney, please take one of our cases, or if you’re not in a position to accept direct representation, then consider hosting an educational clinic at one of our outreach programs throughout Charleston County. For the non-lawyers, help support our cause by participating in one of our fundraisers. Our next major fundraiser is Art on the Beach – Chefs in the Kitchen” and is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.  It includes a Sullivan’s Island home tour featuring local artists and chef demonstrations.

No matter what or how much you can give or help, we sincerely thank you for your support!

• Attorney Alissa C. Lietzow, Executive Director of Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, is a graduate of the Charleston School of Law.  She currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of Charleston. Have a comment? Send to:  editor@charlestoncurrents.com