Ty Pinkins

The Project

Ty advocates on behalf of indigent individuals in some of Mississippi’s most underserved communities by helping pro se litigants navigate the court system.

Indigent litigants are in desperate need of civil legal representation and, unable to find it, are often driven to economic subjugation. The Legal Services Corporation estimates that there is only one free lawyer for every 6,415 indigent citizens in America. With studies suggesting that litigation with representation increases a litigant’s odds by 75%, there is a growing cycle of failure for the poor and marginalized. This is particularly true in Mississippi, a state with a poverty rate of 19%, nearly 8% higher than the rest of the country. Over 50% of the population is in liquid asset poverty.

Ty is dedicated to public service and committed to developing resources to help underserved communities.

Fellowship Highlights to Date

In the first year of the Fellowship, Ty has:

• Implemented the Justice Court Navigator program in six counties throughout the Mississippi Delta
• Continued building the Justice Court Navigator program to enhance its reputation as a critical resource for residents in low-income communities
• Established regular office hours in six county courthouses, offering advice to indigent litigants
• Attended over 570 court cases to gather statistics regarding litigants and their cases in low-income communities
• Trained local law students, interns, and volunteer community members to serve as Justice Court Navigators
• Provided updates regarding the program to six respective county Boards of Supervisors

Next Steps

In the next year, Ty plans to:

• Continue offering pretrial advice to indigent litigants
• Provide full representation to indigent litigants
• Continue building and expanding the reputation of the Justice Court Navigator program

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