Research Purpose & Question: NPC Research prepared a research design to study the effects of providing legal counsel in civil housing cases. NPC created a study designed to answer the following question: What are the societal and economic costs and benefits associated with providing an attorney in civil housing cases, specifically evictions?
Project Design: Currently, while attorneys are guaranteed for individuals unable to afford counsel in criminal cases, no right to counsel exists for civil cases. However, there are some programs and localities that provide counsel to individuals in civil cases, and there is a growing movement to create a right to counsel in such cases. NPC developed a research design aimed at measuring the societal and economic costs and benefits associated with providing counsel in civil housing cases. The research design suggested the most appropriate methodologies, instruments, and study sites.
Funding Source: Northwest Justice Project, as part of the Civil Right to Counsel Leadership and Support Initiative of the National Coalition of the Civil Right to Counsel
Start Date: February 2009
Project Team
Principal Investigator
Project Staff
Reports and Publications:
Worcel, S. D., Finigan, M. W., & Herrera Allen, T. (April 2009)
Civil Right to Counsel Social Science Study Design Proposal.
A Report to the Northwest Justice Project & the Civil Right to Counsel Leadership and Support Initiative. NPC Research: Portland, OR.
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