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A mobile law library supporting access to justice through access to information

About JusticeAccess:

JusticeAccess is a law library for the public. We bring the library throughout the community to help people do legal research so they can address their own legal problems.

young Black woman at the reference desk with an open laptop in front of her and JusticeAccess postcards on the table

How we work:

Virtual Reference Desk: videochat online with a law librarian.

Community Reference Desk: talk to us in person.

Our commitment to our patrons:

We will not share your question with anyone outside of JusticeAccess.

We will not judge your question or you.

We will do our best to help you find the information you need.

two hands clasped
fountain pen lying on a parchment colored paper with cursive writing

Why our work is needed

Too many residents are appearing in court without the benefit of an attorney. Often, this is exacerbated by a power imbalance. For example, in DC’s Landlord-Tenant Court, only 12% of tenants have attorneys, while 95% of landlords are represented.

  

Outer ring shows 12% of tenants in green with attorney representation (dark green) and 88% without (yellow). Inner ring shows 95% of landlords with attorney representation (dark green) and only 5% without (yellow).
Bar chart illustrating the disparity in outcomes between individuals with attorneys and those without. Dark green bars representing individuals with attorneys are substantially taller than yellow bars representing individuals without attorneys.

In family court, parties who appear with an attorney have substantially better outcomes than parties without attorneys.

In DC’s Domestic Violence Branch and Family Court, individuals seeking a protection order are more than twice as likely to succeed when they have attorney representation (27% pro se; 62% represented). Parents seeking child support orders are more than four times as likely to succeed when represented (10% pro se; 43% represented).

Traditional law libraries that are open to members of the public are difficult to use. Barriers include:

  • Limited English proficiency
  • Anxiety
  • Limited literacy
  • Transportation and other geographic barriers
  • Childcare needs
  • Schedules
money, reading ability, police, time

InterRogerTories, or This is Not an Advice Column

  • Two cartoon dogs wearing party hats
    Happy birthday?
    InterRogerTory: Dear Roger, I just celebrated a milestone birthday! Well, “celebrated” might not be the right word; my friend told me that she and some other friends were planning a surprise party for me, and it turned out that the surprise was that there wasn’t a party! I relied on my friend telling me that… Read more: Happy birthday?
  • purple bowling pin with the word "open" written vertically in front of a black bowling ball and orange background with yellow stars
    In home bowling league
    InterRogerTory: Dear Roger, I know that living in a multi-unit building means that there will be noise. I have neighbors with dogs, and I am totally cool with the occasional barking. Getting to pet the pups makes up for the noise. And I love my home. I have a really long hallway where my cats… Read more: In home bowling league
  • person drowning in envelopes pouring out of a computer
    Drowning in Giving Tuesday emails
    InterRogerTory: Response: Dear Overwhelmed, If you really want to make it stop, you can unsubscribe from each organization’s mailing list. Federal law, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, requires each “commercial electronic mail” to include a way to opt out of receiving future emails. But please don’t! Yes, Giving Tuesday is a bit obnoxious, being tied… Read more: Drowning in Giving Tuesday emails
  • Family Traditions
    InterRogerTory: Dear Roger, My favorite part of Thanksgiving is pumpkin pie. We have had pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving every year that I have been alive. My uncle is hosting our family this year, and he said there will be no orange foods. How can he do this? Is there some sort of law about family… Read more: Family Traditions
  • long haired black cat on a blue background
    A dog?!?
    InterRogerTory: Response: Dear Lady Fluff, Oh my cat, this is a difficult situation for you. Remember that I cannot give you legal advice, but here is information that you can evaluate yourself. Since your employees live with you, you’re going to want to look at housing law as well as employment law. Let’s start with… Read more: A dog?!?