Miranda Monday: National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”

These are the basic rights afforded to all Americans arrested for a criminal act. Once requested, an attorney must be provided before any further questioning can proceed. This is not the case, however, when the legal matter is civil in nature. Neither the Courts nor the Constitution guarantee one's right to legal representation in most matters related to child custody, eviction, probate, divorce, immigration, or any number of other civil or family issues. Organizations like the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel are calling attention to the increasingly dire need for legal representation in civil cases. Everyone will require the services of a lawyer at some time in his or her life, and access to legal counsel should not be impeded by an inability to afford representation. 

Self-Help Clinic @ HCLL

Across the country, only about 20% of individuals who qualify for legal aid services are receiving the services they need. Houston Volunteer Lawyers is trying to bridge that gap here in Harris County, and the Harris County Law Library is happy to host one of HVL's many legal clinics next Friday. The May 20 clinic is intended for self-represented litigants with limited means who are filing for divorce in Harris County. Anyone who wants to attend can register on the HVL website by completing the questionnaire at http://makejusticehappen.org/node/267/self-help-divorce-clinic.

Miranda Monday: Online Resources

Much has been written on the Internet about the case at the heart of this year's Law Day theme - Miranda v. Arizona - but what can you believe? Well, that's up to you, but here are some reliable places to look to get you started:

• Law Day 2016: Miranda More Than Words: Law Day information page from the American Bar Association containing a variety of Miranda-related educational resources and Law Day programming.

• Facts and Case Summary - Miranda v. Arizona: A concise explanation of the case with links to related materials from the U.S. Courts.

• The Papers of Justice Tom C. Clark: 5th Amendment - Miranda v. Arizona, 1966: Brief case explanation with links to reproductions of U.S. Supreme Court documents from the case.

• Miranda v. Arizona: Case page from Chicago-Kent College of Law Oyez project containing case information, summaries, and recordings of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.

For even more about this landmark case, visit the Harris County Law Library's digital exhibit featuring facts and photos regarding Miranda v. Arizona.

Lexis CLE @ HCLL

Join us for a free Lexis Advance training session on Thursday, May 12, noon to 1pm. For details and RSVP information, download the flyer below.

Law Day 2016: Miranda - More Than Words

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. In recognition of this historic decision, the American Bar Association has dedicated its annual Law Day celebration to the impact of Miranda and its role in safeguarding our personal rights. The theme -- Miranda: More Than Words – will “explore the procedural protections afforded to all of us by the U.S. Constitution, how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why the preservation of these principles is essential to our liberty.” (ABA)

To commemorate the Miranda decision, the Harris County Law Library has created an exhibit, which is currently on display in the library lobby. Three prize-winning posters, submitted to the Houston Bar Association’s annual Law Day contest, are also on view, along with a display copy of the contest’s  winning essay. We are grateful to the HBA and local school children for sharing this beautiful selection of artwork and writing with the library and its visitors.

Every week in the month of May, Ex Libris Juris will spotlight some aspect of the Miranda ruling. These “Miranda Monday” blog posts will explore how the case has influenced the administration of justice and the protection of our rights. Until next week, Happy Law Day!