People experiencing poverty often lack equitable access to justice and legal services. Justice is a key part of a healthy and functioning society as it helps to provide structure and fairness (MacPhail, 2012). Often, people who are experiencing poverty are unaware of their rights and the ways to stay out of legal trouble that are available. Some organizations are now working on innovative solutions to ensure that people know their rights and have access to justice and legal services.
Recommended Readings
Access to Justice:The Great Gap in Canada's Justice System
Adult Correctional Statistics in Canada, 2015/2016
Crimes of Desperation: The Truth About Poverty-Related Crime (United Way of Calgary, 2016)