(SACRAMENTO) — Assembly Member Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) announced today that his bill to promote access to justice for all Californians has been approved by Governor Schwarzenegger.

The measure, AB 2301, would for the first time establish a statewide system for lawyers to donate to legal aid programs through the State Bar of California, similar to the United Way campaign used by many employers. By increasing financial support for legal services organizations, Jones stated, "this bill helps restore the promise of the Pledge of Allegiance that there be liberty and justice for all."

Pointing to recent studies showing an overwhelming "justice-gap" of at least $350 million between the legal needs of low-income people and the legal help they receive, Jones noted that legal aid groups that serve the poor are currently able to meet only a fraction of the demand for help. According to Jones, California continues to lag far behind other industrial states in total funding of legal services for the poor. Due to insufficient funding and increased poverty, at least 80 percent of the civil legal needs of low-income people are not being met, especially in underserved groups such as elderly, disabled and children. Jones stated, "California provides less than $23.00 of legal services per poor person on average. That's less than the cost of a State Bar membership certificate. We can do better-, and lawyers can help lead the way," Jones said.

In urging passage of the bill, AB 2301, Jones commented that there is currently one legal aid attorney for every 8,373 poor people in California, while the number of attorneys for the general population is approximately one for every 240 people – nearly 35 times higher. In other words, one-half of one percent of California lawyers is available to serve approximately 17 % of the population.

"A lack of representation not only disadvantages people with legal problems, it also burdens the justice system itself and impairs the administration of justice," Jones stated.

Jones' bill was endorsed by the Judicial Council of California, the California Judges Association, the State Bar of California and many other groups.

For More information, please contact:

Kevin G. Baker, Counsel, Assembly Judiciary Committee (916) 319-2334. Kevin.Baker@asm.ca.gov