Q: What does "access to justice" mean?
A: Access to justice means that anyone with a legal problem can get the help and resources they need and can go to court to seek justice, no matter their financial situation or personal circumstances.
Q: Why is access to justice important?
A: Access to justice helps ensure that all people, no matter their financial situation or personal circumstances, can protect their rights, seek legal help, and receive fair treatment under the law.
Having access to the courts is important because it helps people settle disputes peacefully through the legal system. This reduces the risk of social conflict.
Q: What barriers exist to accessing justice?
A: Barriers to access to justice may include:
- Legal fees and court costs that can be unaffordable for many people.
- Lack of understanding about legal rights and how to seek legal help.
- Geographic barriers, including limited access to information and legal services in rural or remote areas.
- Difficulties in understanding and using the legal system, especially for people who don't speak English as their first language.
- Unfamiliar and complex legal processes, which can be intimidating.
- Biases, including hidden ones, that unfairly affect disadvantaged communities, people with disabilities, and others.
Q: What measures can improve access to justice?
A: Steps that can help improve access to justice include:
- Offering free or low-cost legal help through legal aid and pro bono services for people who can’t afford it.
- Coordinators in Colorado's judicial districts that help people who represent themselves in court.
- Community education programs that help people understand their legal rights and how to get legal help.
- Efforts to simplify legal procedures and use plain language.
- Technology solutions like online legal resources, virtual court hearings, and self-help tools that make the courts more accessible, especially for people who live and work in rural areas.
- Language translation services and legal help that respect cultural differences.
For more information about access to justice, visit this website:
- The Colorado Access to Justice Commission, https://www.coloradoaccesstojustice.org. This commission is an independent nonprofit that works to expand access, quality, and fairness in the justice system for all Coloradans.
