... and justice for all.

Go read this short article from the Nation: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090803/edelman.

In my dream world, there's an institution that the indigent may turn to for legal protection. This body does not just protect their fundamental rights against the deprivation of liberty, but also of property. I see an institution that helps the indigent file for bankruptcy, protect against foreclosure fraud, and assist them in creating and administrating wills. I see an institution that provides guardianship services for the incompetent, at the behest of the Court, and protective services for children.

Unshackling public legal service grants? That sounds like a good start. It's the first step to encouraging states to start public institutions to protect the rights of the poor, minors, incompetents, and the elderly. Having practitioners of law assist people in obtaining social security and disability will go a long way to alleviating poverty in this nation, and protecting them against predatory loan offers by advising them of their rights will also help to prevent a future sub-prime loan crisis.

It's not like this will damage the legal industry. 80% of inquiries I get with regard to the law are simple, one-sentence answers. Most attorneys in a legal consultation would give this away for free (at least, most ethical and reasonable attorneys would do so). And as a public employee, I feel almost compelled to assist people in solving their issues.

Think about it some more. A place where victims of domestic abuse could have civil protection orders filled out for them. A place for indigent wives to escape from abusive husbands through a divorce.

Yeah. It sounds good to me. These days, you need a lawyer to get by unscathed, it seems.