ORLANDO, Fla. – In Florida, civil cases lack the attorney protections found in criminal proceedings, leaving many residents without essential legal assistance for everyday issues.

Nearly 50% of Floridians find hiring a lawyer financially out of reach, a situation that advocates describe as an expanding justice gap.

Jeff Harvey, who serves as the CEO of Community Legal Services, highlights that this gap profoundly affects those with lower incomes.

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“It’s unfortunate that many are just one legal challenge away from financial ruin, and only after losing a case do they qualify for aid,” Harvey commented. “That scenario is illogical.”

Harvey said those who qualify for no-cost help are often living far below the poverty line. Some residents automatically qualify, including seniors, domestic violence survivors, and in some cases, veterans.

“For the most part, people who are 200% below the poverty line (qualify),” Harvey said. “That’s a family of four making $60,000 or less. For individuals, it’s right around $17,000 to $18,000.”

Community Legal Services also runs legal clinics for those who don’t meet the income threshold. Harvey said that information can make a difference.

“There are things that people can handle on their own if they understand the process and the language and the terms,” he said. “If somebody takes a couple of minutes and explains to you what the rules are and how it works, a lot of this stuff can be done.”

The agency relies heavily on volunteer attorneys like Clyde Lemon of Fighter Law.

“This is my way of giving back to the community,” Lemon said. “It’s about showing that I care and I’m willing to pour into individuals who need help.”

Lemon works on cases involving evictions, sealing and expungement, and voting rights. He recently helped a Central Florida man regain his right to vote — a right he lost at 18 years old after a felony conviction.

“Thirty years later, he understood the importance of wanting to vote, and we were able to go through the process and get him the proper documentation,” Lemon said. “We also made sure he did all the community service he needed to do to get his rights restored.”

Lemon also volunteers with sealing and expungement cases.

“These are individuals who were charged with a criminal offense and now they want to get that covered on their record,” he explained. “A lot of times, people don’t know how important that is, particularly when they’re applying for jobs.”

Lemon said he plans to keep volunteering, but he said the need far outweighs the available help.

Harvey said the organization depends on volunteers like Lemon and added seeing clients succeed underscores why access matters.

“We’re grateful for people like Clyde,” he said. “When you’re helping somebody where you’re their only hope, the stakes are a little bit higher, and it feels like the impact is a little sweeter.”

For Community Legal Services, closing the justice gap starts with giving people the knowledge, support, and representation they otherwise couldn’t reach.