Courts’ Blake Refund Bureau urges outreach after vacatur ruling; $31 million still unclaimed Administrative Office of the Courts staff told the committee that a 2021 Washington Supreme Court decision has required vacating decades of drug-possession convictions; the Blake Refund Bureau has returned about $10 million so far and said roughly $31 million remains available while outreach and administrative work continue.

A groundbreaking ruling from the Washington State Supreme Court is set to vacate decades of drug-possession convictions, with $31 million still waiting to be claimed by those affected.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #CriminalJusticeReform #LegalAidSupport #CommunityOutreach

Equal Justice Works CEO Urges More Fellowship and Advising Support to Close U.S. Justice Gap On the Legal Services Corporation podcast Talk Justice, Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works, described fellowship efforts that place law students in underserved communities, cited ABA and access-gap statistics, and urged more advising and employer support to stem "public interest drift."

Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works, reveals how innovative fellowship programs are transforming law students into champions for underserved communities in America.

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#US #PublicInterestCareers #CitizenPortal #LegalAidSupport #UnderservedCommunities

Committee backs HJR 15 to give courts new sanction option and faster protection for government attorneys The House Rules Committee unanimously adopted a first substitute and favorably recommended HJR 15, which adds a charitable-contribution sanction option under Rule 11 and creates a faster dismissal and fee remedy under Rule 41 for attorneys sued for representing government entities.

The Utah House Rules Committee has made a groundbreaking move by recommending a new resolution that could reshape how courts handle sanctions and dismissals for attorneys representing government entities.

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#UT #AccessToJustice #CitizenPortal #LegalAidSupport #CourtReform

Vermont service providers ask legislature to restore flexible homelessness, recovery and legal-aid funding On Jan. 8 providers told the House Human Services committee that cuts to flexible homelessness prevention funds and delays in grant execution are straining shelters, recovery centers and legal aid; witnesses asked lawmakers to add roughly $2.4 million in one-time budget adjustment funds across several programs.

Vermont service providers are sounding the alarm as they plead for $2.4 million in critical funding to prevent a surge in homelessness and support vital recovery and legal aid services.

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#VT #HousingAssistance #VermontHomelessness #RecoveryServices #LegalAidSupport

House Committee Approves Legal Services Tax Credit Bill in Northern Mariana Islands Committee endorses House Bill 24-24 to establish a legal service and access tax credit.

A groundbreaking tax credit bill aimed at improving access to legal services for underserved communities has just been approved by the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature!

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#US #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal #NorthernMarianaIslandsLegalServices #LegalAidSupport

Tulsa legal aid program prevents evictions with 11 attorneys supporting tenants rights Tulsa's legal aid team successfully reduces eviction rates through effective tenant representation.

Tulsa's eviction rates are down 5%, thanks to a dedicated team of attorneys fighting for tenant rights, but challenges remain in the race against time and funding.

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#TulsaTulsaCounty #OK #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnerships #LegalAidSupport #EvictionPrevention #TulsaHousing

Legal aid secures sole custody for mother overcoming abuse in Northern Minnesota Lisa gains sole custody of her children after overcoming abuse and legal challenges in Minnesota.

After a harrowing journey through abuse and legal battles, Lisa's inspiring story highlights the vital role of legal aid in helping victims reclaim their lives and secure custody of their children.

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#MN #MinnesotaDomesticViolence #JusticeReform #LegalAidSupport #CitizenPortal