Student Voices

Cartoon of effect of Zoom court on failure to appear rates

Student Voices: What Effect Does Zoom Court Have on Failure to Appear Rates?

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The COVID-19 pandemic thrust online court into a mainstream alternative to traditional in-person court hearings. Zoom has shown mixed results, both in its ability to capture the needs of a court hearing (including sticky notes passed between attorneys and clients) and its role in reducing failure to appear rates in court. This makes online court a prime candidate for a randomized control trial to test its impact on court appearances.

Cartoon depicting legal information programs' role in supporting unrepresented noncitizens navigating the U.S. immigration system

Student Voices — Legal Information Programs: A Possible Way to Reduce Harm for Unrepresented Noncitizens in Immigration Proceedings

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Legal information programs aim to support pro se noncitizens navigating the high stakes and extreme inequities of the U.S. system. Given that 63% of all noncitizens and 83% of detained noncitizens proceed without counsel, these programs could act as necessary stopgaps. It is worth delving deeper into the nature of these programs and the evidence that these programs promote access to justice for unrepresented noncitizens navigating the complexities of our immigration system.

Cartoon depicting non-lawyer legal services in agency immigration litigation

Student Voices: Non-lawyer Legal Services in Agency Immigration Litigation

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Two-thirds of people facing deportation lack legal representation, and 86% of immigrants being detained do not have a lawyer. Without counsel, many will be deported to face persecution or violence – regardless of their legal right to stay. One partial solution may lie in empowering non-lawyers to take a larger role in representing individuals facing deportation.

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