Oregon’s legal services programs have offices in 19 communities statewide.
Statewide programs include the Native American Program, the
Farmworker Project, and the Community Development Law Center.
Last year alone, legal services programs directly served over 20,000 low-income
clients. Thousands more were helped through pro se materials, self-help
programs and pro bono assistance.
Nearly 800,000 low-income and elderly Oregonians qualify for the services of
Oregon’s 100 legal aid attorneys; that’s one attorney for every 8,000 persons. For
the general population there is one attorney for every 340 persons.
According to the Oregon Legal Needs Study completed in 2000, more than 80%
of the legal needs of low to moderate income Oregonians are going unserved each
year. A recent survey completed by Legal Aid Services of Oregon shows that this
unmet need has only increased in the last five years.
Legal services representation is limited to high-priority needs: food, shelter,
medical care, income maintenance and physical safety. About 40% of the cases
are family law cases, usually helping the victims of domestic violence to obtain
and enforce restraining orders and create a stable home environment for their
children. Recent studies have shown that access to legal services is essential in
the process of ending domestic abuse.
A statewide legal needs study* found that 70% of respondents who were
represented by a legal aid attorney had a favorable view of the legal system, even
when the issue was not resolved in their favor. Of respondents who did not have
access to legal counsel, 75% had an unfavorable view of the legal system.
*2000 Legal Needs Study sponsored by the Oregon State Bar, Oregon Judicial Department and the Office
of the Governor.
“If people don’t have access to the justice system, they have no reason to respect it. And
for some people, access can be life saving.”
