LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Domestic violence victims and other Michiganders who cannot afford an attorney may soon have someone by their side to help them navigate the often- confusing court system.
According to a Michigan Supreme Court news release, the court has launched an Accompaniment Services Pilot Project, which allows trained support providers to assist people representing themselves in certain civil cases.
Someone in Their Corner
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The program is expected to be particularly useful for domestic violence survivors facing an abuser in court over issues such as child support, custody or personal protection orders.
A trained Accompaniment Services Provider would attend hearings with the victim, sit at counsel table, take notes, explain what is happening and remind the person of information they wanted to tell the court. Providers can also help victims plan ahead by identifying exits and safe places to talk at the courthouse.
“Too many vulnerable Michiganders, especially survivors of domestic violence, don’t have meaningful access to our justice system,” Supreme Court Justice Brian K. Zahra said.
Help – But Not a Lawyer
The distinction is important: the support providers are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice or represent someone as a lawyer would.
Instead, they are intended to help people who would otherwise be navigating the court system alone understand the process and keep track of what happens.
The pilot can also be used in certain landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection cases, civil infractions, public-benefit matters and some family cases.
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The pilot program is limited to clients of designated Pilot Agencies. Organizations participating in the pilot include domestic violence programs, shelters, housing agencies and community mental health providers.
