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News Release
Texas Access to Justice Foundation AUSTIN, Texas––Today, Texas Legal Services Center, a nonprofit organization funded by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, launches the Virtual Court Access Project, a statewide pilot project aiming to improve low-income Texans’ ability to receive free legal services through deploying accessible, physical virtual court kiosks to communities. The kiosks act as virtual legal aid centers featuring computer stations implemented in high-traffic locations, where residents can access life-changing community resources like connecting with courts and receiving legal aid services. The goal for the Virtual Court Access Project is to bridge the digital divide through technology—in a setting where users can easily find additional resources to help them solve their problems. At kiosks, Texans who lack dependable access to either a computer, smartphone or reliable internet connection can effectively attend an online court hearing, receive free legal help or find legal information and resources. All kiosks are accessible in English and Spanish. “During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Texas implemented court proceedings in a virtual setting via video conferencing,” Karen Miller, executive director of Texas Legal Services Center, said. “While this innovative use of technology expands access to justice and increases court engagement, many Texans are left without the necessary resources to navigate court in a virtual setting and effectively participate. The virtual court kiosks will remove this barrier and serve to empower Texans across the state.” Texans who use the kiosks will receive technical assistance from online chat and phone services as well step-by-step instructions on submitting evidence and attending virtual court. The kiosks will also offer a comprehensive collection of virtual court educational materials, which are online and accessible to Texans at any time, and LiveChat services on TexasLawHelp.org where low-income users can chat with an attorney to receive free legal advice. The statewide pilot project will deploy 25 virtual court kiosks to every region of Texas where they will be installed inside community centers, shelters, clinics, libraries and other high-traffic locations convenient to communities. With increased funding, TLSC plans to implement 250 additional kiosks across the state to reach disadvantaged Texans. “While the kiosk itself is a useful tool, its placement within community centers provides a multiplier effect for legal services.” Miller said. “One of the exciting aspects of this project is the community partnership with the host site. Vulnerable Texans will benefit from accessing legal aid right inside their community center, where they will find all-inclusive services to help them solve the many problems that accompany legal issues.” “Providing access to justice for vulnerable Texans is vital now more than ever,” Betty Balli Torres, executive director of TAJF, said. “More than 21% of all Texans do not have access to high speed internet or Wi-Fi at home, and 44.8% of rural, low-income households in Texas do not have a computer. During the 88th State of Texas Legislative session, TAJF is asking for additional funding to support the expansion of the kiosk project to increase legal services.” For more information about the virtual court kiosks or to access legal help with TLSC, visit www.tlsc.org/kiosks ### Texas Access to Justice Foundation The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the primary state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to approximately 100,000 Texas families each year. For more information, please visit: www.teajf.org. Texas Legal Services Center Texas Legal Services Center is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide high-quality legal representation, advice, advocacy and education at no cost to underserved people across the state. With more than a dozen practice areas, our work touches almost every aspect of civil law that impacts low-income Texans.
Kimberly Schmitt
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