NCJ Number
87762
Journal
Judicature Volume: 66 Issue: 7 Dated: (February 1983) Pages: 313-318
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This Georgia study indicates that socio-demographic factors influence a person's perception of need for a lawyer but do not influence the decision to call a lawyer once the need for one has been perceived.
Abstract
Data were drawn from a study conducted for the State Bar of Georgia Community Service Task Force, which was designed to assess public opinion about and experience with pro bono (free) legal services. Attitudes were measured in Atlanta, Macon, and Americus, selected to provide the maximum range in city size. The population of adult telephone subscribers was sampled in each city, and random-digit dialing was used to contact respondents. A total of 1200 interviews was obtained, a third from each city. Contrary to expectations, data indicate a slight tendency for those with higher incomes and more education to comprise a larger proportion of pro bono clients than those in the lower strata. While socio-demographic factors did not appear to influence the use of pro bono services, socio-demographic status did relate consistently to a person's perception that a lawyer's services are needed to deal with specific problems. Blacks, the poor, and those with little education were least likely to think they needed a lawyer during the previous 2 years. This lack of perception of the need for legal services appears to be more of a barrier to the seeking of legal aid than economic circumstances per se. This indicates the need for advertising and educational programs which portray how lawyers can aid persons in various circumstances likely to be encountered by blacks and the poor.