The Arizona Supreme Court has taken a significant step to increase legal access for residents lacking representation in civil matters. They have recently approved the Legal Services Authorized Community Justice Worker (CJW) program, facilitating non-lawyers to offer limited legal assistance.

Community justice workers will operate under the supervision of licensed attorneys, providing crucial support in areas like document preparation, legal advice, and negotiation. This initiative aims to alleviate the backlog of civil legal assistance faced by many Arizonans, particularly in underserved rural areas.

With the newly established judicial rule, CJWs will handle civil matters, including consumer issues, housing disputes, debt relief, public benefits, and unemployment inquiries. Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer emphasized the program’s importance, stating, “By empowering local community members to provide essential support under the guidance of trained attorneys, we are expanding access to justice.”

Arizona currently ranks 49th in the nation for lawyers per capita, highlighting the pressing need for accessible legal services, especially in rural communities where resources are limited. Many small-town attorneys are already overloaded, making the CJW initiative a timely solution.

These community justice workers will receive supervision from grantees affiliated with Arizona’s Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting low-income individuals. Organizations such as Community Legal Services, DNA-People’s Legal Services, and Southern Arizona Legal Aid are among those involved in this initiative, offering much-needed support and representation.

Sharon Sergent, the executive director of Community Legal Services, noted, “The community justice workers will be supervised by our attorneys who specialize in assisting low-income Arizonans, ensuring we meet the legal needs of more individuals in Arizona.” This collaborative effort reflects a commitment to enhancing legal assistance across the state.