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Amelia Hoppe, Director of Programs

'Justice Tour' March 21 at Franklin library

The Louisiana Civil Justice Center (LCJC) will embark on its second “Justice Tour” that includes a stop at the St. Mary Parish Library in Franklin.
LCJC launched the Justice Tour in 2016 to address overwhelming legal need in the poorest and most underserved rural parishes of the state. The first tour visited 15 different parishes, providing over 500 people with direct legal assistance and, through new partnerships with libraries and local organizations, sharing critical information about existing legal resources at the local and statewide levels with rural communities. In recognition of its success in raising awareness about barriers to justice in rural Louisiana, the tour was honored with the Louisiana State Bar Association’s 2016 “Legal Services Innovation” award.
Building upon the success of last year’s tour, LCJC will host civil legal clinics at libraries in 16 parishes. The clinics, which are open to the public, will allow residents to speak with an attorney about a wide range of civil legal issues including divorce and custody, consumer debt, housing, and successions, offering advice, legal documents, and referrals free of charge. In addition to holding free legal clinics, LCJC will meet with representatives of local businesses, community organizations, and legal services organizations to discuss the main legal challenges facing each parish and build awareness about the services that LCJC offers.
“With poverty comes inequality, and with inequality comes injustice,” Jonathan Rhodes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Civil Justice Center said. “The Justice Tour will bring lawyers to the parts of our state that are in the greatest need with the goal of ensuring justice, equality, and prosperity for all.”
The tour will be at the Franklin Branch Library March 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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