WISCONSIN JUDICARE

• NCJ Number: 64887
• Journal: LEGAL AID BRIEFCASE Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1967) Pages: 91-97
• Author(s): J F PRELOZNIK
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: National Legal Aid and Defender Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FOCUSING ON THE JUDICARE SYSTEM OF WISCONSIN, THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE ORIGINS OF JUDICARE, ADMINISTRATION OF THE SYSTEM, TECHNICAL AREAS OF THE LAW AFFECTING THE POOR, AND THE SYSTEM'S EFFECTIVENESS.

Abstract

JUDICARE DIFFERS FROM TRADITIONAL LEGAL AID IN THAT CLIENTS MAY SELECT ANY ATTORNEY IN THEIR AREA TO ADVISE OR REPRESENT THEM. ALTHOUGH THE CONCEPT ORIGINATED IN ENGLAND, THE SIMILARITIES ARE CONFINED TO THE GOVERNMENT'S MONETARY SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE SYSTEM'S USE OF PRIVATE ATTORNEYS. WISCONSIN JUDICARE WAS ORIGINALLY FUNDED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS OF LOW INCOME LIVING IN 26 COUNTRIES OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN. PRIOR TO JUDICARE, NO FORMAL LEGAL AID WAS AVAILABLE IN THESE COUNTIES, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE WAS LIMITED TO THE UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES OF ATTORNEYS. JUDICARE IS ADMINSTERED BY A SMALL STAFF INCLUDING AN ATTORNEY DIRECTOR, A LEGAL RESEARCH COUNSEL, AN ACCOUNTANT, TWO SECRETARIES, AND TWO PART-TIME LAW STUDENTS. THE COST OF THE ADMINSTRATIVE FUNCTION IS LESS THAN 10 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET. THE RIGHT TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON A MEANS TEST. APPLICATIONS ARE MADE TO THE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE IN EACH COUNTY. EACH QUALIFIED APPLICANT RECEIVES AN IDENTIFICATION CARD WHICH IS PRESENTED TO AN ATTORNEY IN THE CLIENT'S COUNTY OR AN ADJOINING COUNTY; LEGAL SERVICES WILL BE RENDERED BY THAT ATTORNEY IN THE SAME MANNER AS TO A PAYING CLIENT. AFTER THE WORK IS COMPLETED, THE ATTORNEY SUBMITS A REQUEST FOR PAYMENT TO THE JUDICARE OFFICE. TYPES OF CASES FREQUENTLY HANDLED THROUGH THE PROGRAM INCLUDE DOMESTIC RELATIONS, EVICTION, REPOSSESSION, BANKRUPTCY, AND GARNISHMENT. WHEN NECESSARY, ATTORNEYS WORKING WITH JUDICARE CLIENTS REFER THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. ALTHOUGH EXPERIMENTAL, THE PROGRAM IS VIEWED FAVORABLY BY WISCONSIN CITIZENS. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)