CALDWELL, Idaho -- A county in southwestern Idaho plans to hire an attorney to help those helping themselves in civil court.
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports Canyon County commissioners approved a preliminary budget Thursday that includes $60,000 from the Idaho Supreme Court to hire an attorney to help people who are serving as their own lawyer in cases.
In criminal cases, the courts provide an attorney for people who can't afford to represent themselves. But that doesn't happen in most civil cases like lawsuits and divorces. Often, people who can't afford attorneys in those types of cases end up representing themselves.
Third District Court administrator Dan Kessler says the county has recently seen a spike in the number of residents representing themselves, and the new position will help out the entire court system.
