Perspective: Judicial Branch Committees
This year’s Law Day theme, The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy, reminds us of the importance of due process, equal protection and citizenship rights. In keeping with these rights, I focus today on the goal of the Nebraska Judicial Branch to “provide access to swift, fair justice,” which is the first of the six overarching goals of our Judicial Branch.
Over the years, the Judicial Branch has implemented several initiatives designed to ensure equal access for all Nebraskans. For example, the Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Self-Represented Litigation has created a training manual to guide judges and court staff in handling cases involving self-represented litigants, and has also established both online and in-person self-help desks to assist litigants in navigating the judicial system so their cases are resolved efficiently.
The Minority and Justice Committee, a joint committee of the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska State Bar Association, was established to develop and coordinate community outreach and education focused on addressing disparity and increasing diversity, including hosting an annual legal diversity summit. And the Nebraska Supreme Court Interpreter Advisory Committee was established to create statewide rules for language interpreters throughout Nebraska’s courts and probation offices, so those who are unable to readily communicate in the English language have meaningful access to the courts.
Recently, the Judicial Branch authorized the formation of an Access to Justice Commission. The purpose of this commission is to bring together and coordinate various initiatives of the courts, the bar, legal service organizations, legal education providers, legal and public libraries, and the community in order to leverage limited resources and increase the impact of the work being done to ensure access to swift, fair justice.
The Nebraska Supreme Court is in the process of appointing the commissioners who will serve on the new Access to Justice Commission, and has identified the following goals for the commission:
• to coordinate, leverage and expand access to justice activities;
• to engage the judiciary, bar and community to enhance equal access to justice statewide;
• to identify obstacles to obtaining legal services and implement solutions for Nebraska’s underserved population;
• to mobilize and incentivize legal professionals to close the justice gap through pro bono activities; and
• to determine geographic areas and populations where access needs are most acute to better target initiatives.
I look forward to working with all Nebraskans to achieve these goals.
This signed article was written at The Daily Record’s invitation to underscore the theme of Law Day 2017.
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