Voicing a Need for Justice –Survey Results on Legal Aid Access in Arizona

Arizona Foundation for Legal Services Education - 080045

Abstract Number: 080045

September 2008

The Arizona Bar's Foundation recently published a study, "Voicing a Need for Justice – Survey Results on Legal Aid Access in Arizona."  In the past Arizona legal aid agencies have reported offering limited services or turning away 75% of persons seeking direct legal aid representation, both because of a lack of resources and because those requesting assistance fall outside the service criteria for those agencies.  Concerned about the reports of large gaps in civil legal services, and mindful of Arizona's unique demographics and culture, the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education requested an independent, statewide study to identify the civil legal needs of Arizonans, how those needs are being met, and whether there is a gap between the needs and the services that are available.

The Foundation retained Fieldwork Quant Group in Chicago, Illinois to conduct the study. Fieldwork Quant Group conducted a telephone survey of 1,067 persons during the summer of 2006. The study has a 95% confidence level and a 3% margin of error. The survey addressed only civil legal needs and did not address criminal law needs and services.

The study found that approximately 32 % of the persons interviewed reported that they had a civil legal problem. Unfortunately, large numbers of Arizonans do not believe that they could afford a private attorney to assist with their legal needs.

The Study also found:
• Over 71% of households with a total income of $25,000 or less believed that they could not afford an attorney.
• Even in those households with an income of as much as $47,000, more than half (over 56%) believed that they could not afford an attorney.
• 81% of the persons interviewed did not know where to go for legal services when they had a civil legal problem.
• Of those 32 % reporting a civil legal problem, only 25% got help from a person or agency. 41% attempted to take care of the problem themselves, and 21% took no action at all (13% chose not to answer this question).

To access "Voicing a Need for Justice – Survey Results on Legal Aid Access in Arizona" please click here

Contact Information

Kay Lapid
IOLTA Administrator
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
Kids Voting Arizona
4201 N. 24th St.  #210
Phoenix, AZ  85016
Phone:  602-340-7260
Fax:  602-773-3160
www.azflse.org
www.KidsVotingAz.org
www.AzLawHelp.org
www.LawForKids.org
www.LawForSeniors.org

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