South Middlesex Legal Services recognizes local
“Pillars of Justice”

Local legislators were honored recently for their support of legal aid for low-income people in the community.  Senator Pamela Resor and Representatives Cory Atkins and James Eldridge received “Pillar of Justice” certificates during a recent ceremony hosted by South Middlesex Legal Services (SMLS).

SMLS stood on the brink of elimination from the state budget in July, after Governor Romney vetoed all civil legal aid funding.  The legislators who were honored at the event supported a successful override of the veto, restoring $7.6 million in state funding to legal aid, including over $520,000 for SMLS. 

“These legislators really rescued legal aid and we’re extremely grateful,” says SMLS director Nancy King.  “Our program was in serious jeopardy.”

SMLS provides free legal help to low-income residents in the nineteen towns in Middlesex County, including Acton, in non-criminal, or civil, cases.  Among those helped by the program are victims of domestic violence, people unfairly denied health care or disability benefits, elders facing foreclosure on their homes, and disabled children deprived of educational services.  While low-income people in criminal cases have a right to a court-appointed attorney, in civil cases they rely on legal aid programs like SMLS.  “Our clients have no where else to turn,” says King.  “If they don’t receive help from us, there is no place else to go.”

“These aren’t the types of problems inexperienced people can be expected to deal with on their own,” King adds.  “Lawyers spend years in training because the system is so complex.  Without legal assistance, low-income people don’t have any hope of obtaining justice.”

The Governor’s budget veto would have eliminated funding for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation which supports local programs like SMLS.  The veto was overridden by a 147-10 vote in the House and a 35-5 vote in the Senate.

But for the legislature's override, SMLS would have been forced to lay off staff, and serve 500-700 fewer families.  “This was such a critical vote,” said King. “We’re already seriously under-funded considering the need. Low-income people rely on us. We are lucky these legislators recognized the valuable service SMLS provides, and gave us their support when we so desperately needed it.