A CIVIL RIGHT TO COUNSEL IMPROVES CASE OUTCOMES


Numerous studies have demonstrated that the presence of counsel ensures more accurate outcomes in civil cases.  A comprehensive meta-study by Rebecca Sandefur that looked at prior impact studies concluded that litigants with lawyers were anywhere from eight to over 200 times more likely to win their civil case than those without counsel, and anywhere from twice to nearly five times more likely to prevail than those who received the assistance of a nonlawyer advocate.

 

The NCCRC's comprehensive bibliography (organized primarily by subject area) has more information about studies that have measured the increased positive outcomes when counsel is present.


A CIVIL RIGHT TO COUNSEL SAVEs MONEY

 

There is a growing consensus that providing counsel not only makes outcomes more accurate, but may actually help the states save money. There's a great fact sheet about saving money that you can check out.

 

This is, in fact, why many advocates have put their efforts behind civil right to counsel pilot projects that are intended to measure exactly how much money can be saved, and in what areas.

 

The NCCRC's comprehensive bibliography (organized primarily by subject area) has more information about studies that have measured the potential cost savings.