In a recent segment on KUTV’s Fresh Living, host Kari Hawker-Diaz welcomed Utah State Bar Access to Justice Director Megan Connelly to discuss a pressing issue facing many families across the state: navigating the civil justice system. Airing on June 10, 2026, the feature highlighted the vital resources provided by the state’s Access to Justice Office, shedding light on how everyday residents can find critical legal guidance when they need it most.

Navigating civil legal challenges like landlord-tenant disputes, custody battles, or debt collections can be overwhelming for many Utahns, particularly those who cannot afford traditional legal representation. This issue is compounded by stark geographical disparities across the state; while urban centers like Salt Lake County have stable attorney numbers, rural areas such as San Juan County operate as “legal deserts” with fewer than one attorney per 1,000 residents. According to the Utah Bar Foundation, the vast majority of defendants in debt collection and eviction cases are left to represent themselves against represented plaintiffs, underscoring a critical gap in the state’s civil justice system.

To bridge this gap, the Utah Access to Justice Office connects residents with trusted legal tools, self-help resources, and volunteer programs. A key initiative is their Virtual Legal Clinic, which offers eligible individuals free video or phone consultations with volunteer attorneys to clarify their rights and determine next steps before or during a court case. The office is also spearheading long-term solutions—including regulatory reforms and the upcoming Access to Justice Summit—to ensure affordable, widespread legal support for everyone in the state.

To learn more about how to access these services or support these initiatives, read the full article at utahlegalhelp.org.