Only Oklahoma ranks lower than Kentucky when it comes to how the state’s court system serves its low-income and disabled population. On a 100-point scale, Kentucky comes in at 33.4 percent. Indiana is just three places higher at 36.2 percent.
Part of the Justice Index rankings is based on how much free legal aid is available to residents.
Scott Crocker is executive director for Kentucky Legal Aid. He says federal and state funding for his organization is down “real significantly” over the last 4-5 years.
“We are able to provide some level of services to most people who call in and meet our eligibility criteria,” said Crocker. “But, a lot of people need an attorney to go to court with them and sometimes we’re able to do that, but a lot of times we only have the resources to provide counsel and advice.”
He says Kentucky Legal Aid expects to give some form of legal advice to 12,000 people in south-central and western Kentucky this year. All of the cases involve civil law.
“Our biggest case-type involves family law – particularly cases that involve establishment of child support and cases that involve victims of domestic violence,” said Crocker. “We also do a lot of cases involving housing and public benefits.”
Crocker also says they handle many cases in which clients have been the victim of financial abuse.
Tennessee ranks 10th best with a score of 64%. Washington D.C. tops the list, followed by Connecticut.
The Justice Index is a project of the National Center for Access to Justice.