MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - State Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin says too many West Virginians are having too much trouble getting access to the courts, and he's gathering ideas to help eliminate barriers.
Benjamin and the Access to Justice Commission held the second in a series of forums around the state Monday in Martinsburg.
Four more sessions are planned. They are Sept. 12 in Huntington, Sept. 26 in Wheeling, Nov. 1 in Morgantown and Nov. 15 in Charleston.
The Supreme Court established the commission in 2009 to help low-income residents overcome barriers to the civil court system.
The Journal reports that complaints in Martinsburg focused on challenges in finding a lawyer and the shortage of funding for Legal Aid attorneys.
West Virginia has only 52 Legal Aid attorneys for 55 counties.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
