I love it and plan to use your argument! What do you respond when the lib says “But we provide free legal services.” ?? (Public defenders)
I like this line of reasoning.
Mark for following.
Tatt
“What do you respond when the lib says ‘But we provide free legal services.’ ?? (Public defenders)”
That’s easy for me to answer. I don’t think that ever should have been considered a right (we got along fine for a LONG time without it). One more crappy public service we don’t need. Legal defense funds and other charities could handle it at least as well.
“But we provide free legal services
Those services arguably are to protect rights codified in the Constitution (trial by jury etc.). Admittedly, such services have been extended to domains unrelated to the Constitution such as suing state Medicaid programs for coverage policies/decisions. But at least some such services are consistent with the SC’s finding that indigent clients are entitled to free counsel on grounds that without it, their right to a trial by jury is meaningless.