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Fighting for Fairness in Every Courtroom

We champion the rights of self-represented litigants, demand judicial transparency and integrity, and work toward real reforms that ensure equal access to justice.

Proven solutions to protect rhode island citizens in the courtroom

Our mission is clear we push for reforms that guarantee fairness, transparency, and access to justice for all.

Fairness for
Self-Represented Litigants

Removing the bias, red tape, and hidden hurdles that often make court processes harder for people who represent themselves, so they get the same shot at justice as anyone with a lawyer.

Judicial Transparency & Accountability

Making sure judges apply the law consistently, explain their decisions openly, and are held responsible when they stray from fairness or show favoritism. Dream Big and Lay the Groundwork - How Rhode Island Can Improve Access to Civil Justice (link to PDF)

Legal Literacy & Public Education

Giving everyday citizens the guidance, plain-language resources, and confidence they need to understand their rights, court procedures, and how to advocate for themselves.

State-Level Reforms

Laws and policies that protect constitutional rights are rules and regulations created by the government to ensure that every individual’s freedoms and rights, guaranteed by the Constitution, are respected and upheld.

The S.A.F.E. Act

A proposed law to enforce fairness in the courts aims to ensure equal treatment, prevent bias, and protect individual rights within the judicial system.

Reform Proposals and The S.A.F.E. ACT Legislation to protect constitutional rights in the courtroom

Self-Representation
Rights

Protecting the right to represent oneself without unfair disadvantage.

Accessible
Court Systems

Making court processes simpler and understandable.

Fair
Legal Processes

Applying the same rules equally to all parties.

Enforceable
Judicial Standards

Holding judges accountable for misconduct or bias.

Reform Ideas from Legal Analysis

A 2023 Roger Williams Law Review article compared the Rhode Island Office for Access to Justice to what a true Commission for Access to Justice should be. The findings? Rhode Island’s judiciary gives the appearance of access but falls far short in reality.

 

Proposed Legislation

We call for the Rhode Island Judiciary to use funds provided by the ABA in 2014 to create a Commission for Access to Justice with the power to oversee reforms like:

  • Simplified Procedures – Plain-language forms, checklists, and online tools.
  • Judicial Accountability – Mandatory bias training and accommodations for self-represented litigants.
  • Attorney Sanctions – Penalties for exploiting procedural complexity.
  • Support Infrastructure – Self-help centers, court navigators, and lists of lawyers who provide limited-scope representation.
  • Inclusive Language – Prohibiting terms like “brother” or “sister” between lawyers that reinforce exclusion.

Additional Reform Opportunities - Simple changes with big impacts

Justice Belongs to Everyone is proposing changes to promote legal literacy and education based on the real experiences of self-represented litigants.

  • Bias and due process training for all judges.
  • Clear complaint systems for judicial misconduct.
  • Judicial Bench Cards summarizing legal standards.
  • Litigation checklists signed off by judges and Litigants ensuring due process has been provided.
  • Court navigators and help desks for self-represented litigants.
  • Judges should, provide reasonable accommodations to SRLs especially when one party is represented by counsel.
  • Data collection that provides measurable results for the purpose of improving and implementing appropriate changes for cases with SRLs as oposed to general overall use of the court and courthouse.

Nationwide Best Practices for Professional Language

Most states already use neutral or formal titles to maintain professionalism:

Opposing Counsel

Common in federal and state courts.

My Colleague

Respectful and inclusive.

Counsel for the Plaintiff/Defendant

Universally understood.

Mr./Ms. [Last Name]

Increasingly preferred for clarity.

Real Stories from the Courtroom

These first-hand accounts show the devastating impact of unfair treatment in court.

Story 1

When courts tolerate procedural manipulation and consistently favor represented parties, the right to self-representation becomes an illusion. 

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the decision, without addressing the constitutional violations; misstating facts,….. ignoring Raise or Waive requirements using Respondents’ first time arguments provided in their appeal briefs, to recharacterize the Dismissal Agreement as a Consent Order, two legally different values. All done to benefit represented parties.

Story 2

There is no protection for the Self-represented litigants.

After being physically threatened by opposing counsel at a depositions, I hired a security guard to attend future depositions.  I reported it to the Disciplinary counsel, and they told me they didn’t have jurisdiction, it could only be addressed by the Court.  I brought it before the court, both the lower Court and the  RI Supreme Court and they both ignored it.

J.C. –

Vulnerable Unprotected

Story 3

The Rule of Law Endures Only When Justice is Accessible to All.

Contrary to Respondents’ assertion, being subjected to abusive tactics for eight years while attorneys are paid to terrorize so she will dismiss her claim, isn’t access to justice, it’s exploitation.

Story 4

Proceedings became less about adjudicating the underlying dispute than about exhausting her resolve and resources.

For daring to assert her rights and challenge their tactics, Plaintiff has not only been dismissed, she has been mocked, ridiculed, and treated with disdain. Her arguments, grounded in law and fact, have been disregarded not on the merits but because her status as a non-lawyer renders them invisible.

Help Us Make Justice Accessible to All

Help others learn, connect, and advocate by sharing your story.

We believe storytelling is powerful. If you’ve been through the court system without a lawyer, your story could educate and inspire others.

Share Your Court Story

Share Your Story

If you’ve faced challenges with access to justice or had a unique experience with the legal system, we’d love to hear from you. By sharing your experience, you can help us raise awareness and support others who may be going through similar situations.

Important: After you submit your story, our team will review it and contact you via email to confirm the details before publishing anything on the website.