A number of Wisconsinites can’t get the legal help they need, so the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission wants to know details.
The panel is continuing its statewide public hearings this week with a gathering in Milwaukee. “If you don’t have access to the justice system, you can’t resolve disputes peaceably and you can’t get your rights heard,” says Hannah Dugan, a local lawyer that is chairing the Thursday meeting.
Dugan says the economic downtown has led to a greater number of low-people who cannot afford legal help. Related problems like foreclosure issues remain high in Milwaukee; Dugan says the purpose of these hearing is to find out the challenges specific to each region of Wisconsin. This will be the third-of-six meetings with one in Madison next week, and events Wausau and LaCrosse next month.
The commission handles non-criminal matters and was created in 2009 by the state Supreme Court.