Arkansas Access to Justice Commission Town Hall Meetings

The Commission, in early 2006,embarked upon a listening and fact gathering series of town hall meetings in each of the state’s four congressional districts. Commission members served on the panel to listen to citizen testimony about civil legal aid in Arkansas. Leaders of the Arkansas Bar Association, jurists throughout the state, agency directors, clients and interested citizens joined them. The Member of Congress from that particular part of the state hosted each town hall meeting.

• February 13 in Pine Bluff, Honorable Mike Ross, 4th Congressional District
• March 21 in Springdale, Honorable John Boozman, 3rd Congressional District
• April 18 in Little Rock, Honorable Vic Snyder, 2nd Congressional District
• May 30 in Jonesboro, Honorable Marion Berry, 1st Congressional District

Participants included judges, attorneys, agency directors, clients, eighteen legislators, and the media and interested citizens.

The extensive testimony outlined an environment of poverty, immigration status, domestic abuse, and the human toll these have on the pursuit of justice. From these factors commentators made assessments of the current status of access to justice which in turn led to concepts which they felt needed to be implemented which would improve the situation. Participants further offered their perspectives on potential resources which might improve access to justice.

Participant testimony also addressed the three major areas of inquiry by the Commission: Pro Bono, Pro Se, and Legal Services activities. Comments in each one of these areas became the basis for formulating Commission recommendations on ways to improve access to justice in Arkansas. A summary of Commission findings will be released at a later date.

(View Panel Information)
(View TownHall Meetings Summary Report)