TEXAS ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION HONORS SENATOR ROBERT DUNCAN
OF LUBBOCK FOR HIS SUPPORT OF LEGAL AID

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O’Neill, on behalf of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, today presented Senator Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, with the “Star of Justice Award” for his long-standing efforts to increase state funding for legal aid.

At the award presentation, held during the Lubbock County Bar Association luncheon in Lubbock, O’Neill praised Duncan for supporting efforts to increase access to the justice system for indigent Texans.

“Senator Duncan has been a hero not only to his community, but also to poor people across the state who desperately need basic legal help,” O’Neill said. “His critical support allows legal aid programs to assist the elderly, the disabled and victims of domestic violence, to name just a few.”

Legal aid organizations help more than 99,000 low-income Texans each year with their civil legal needs. However, for every one person helped by legal aid, another qualifying individual is turned away; there are simply not enough resources to help everyone who needs the service Duncan has played an instrumental role in securing additional funding for legal aid, including revenue from fees assessed to out-of-state lawyers practicing in Texas and a $3 million general appropriation for the next biennium ($1.5 million per year).

Duncan explained his commitment to augmenting legal services for those in need.

“It is imperative that all citizens have adequate legal representation,” Duncan said. “We as a society must work to close the gap between those who can and those who cannot afford legal services. It is an honor for me to receive this award.”

Prior to the luncheon, O’Neill and Duncan toured the Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas office in Lubbock to meet the dedicated advocates who assist low-income people every day with their civil legal needs. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is the primary provider of legal aid in the northern part of Texas, including Dallas, Lubbock, Midland, Potter, Tarrant and Tom Green counties.

O’Neill also visited the Legal Aid Society of Lubbock, which provides legal aid to low-income residents of Lubbock County.

Legal aid provides free advice or representation in matters such as housing, protection from domestic violence and consumer issues. In Lubbock County, 18 percent of the population lives in poverty. To qualify for legal aid, an individual must earn less than $12,000 per year.

The Texas Access to Justice Commission (www.texasatj.org) was created by the Supreme Court of Texas to coordinate legal aid services for poor Texans. The Commission is charged with increasing resources for legal aid and developing policy initiatives to increase access to the legal system for Texas’ most vulnerable residents.