Task Force Final Report Now Available

The final report of the Civil Gideon Task Force is now available. Access to Justice: Assessing Implementation of Civil Gideon in Minnesota contains detailed information about low income people's needs for representation in matters involving basic human needs, the impacts when counsel is not available, and recommendations for addressing the justice gap. The report has been accepted by the MSBA Assembly and is being reviewed for potential further action by the Bar.

Questions about the report can be directed to MSBA staff liaison to the Task Force, Steve Marchese.

Purpose

The mission of the task force is to explore the feasibility of a civil right to counsel in Minnesota.  The task force should be fact-finding in nature, with the goal of providing a thorough analysis of whether there exists a basis to establish a civil right to counsel, and how such a right would affect the legal services delivery, public defense, county attorney and judicial systems in Minnesota.

Chairpersons
Kent Harbison
Mary Schneider

MSBA Staff Liaison
Steve Marchese
612-278-6308; 800-882-672
smarchese@mnbar.org