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The Adminstrative Director of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has decided to close public law libraries.  (Associated Press)

The United States Constitution secures one’s rights to access to the courts and equal protection of the laws, and the United States Supreme Court has ruled that access to the courts means meaningful access to adequate law libraries and equal access for those who are indigent or without the means to defend their rights and assert their claims.  Even prisoners are guaranteed meaningful access to law libraries or programs to assist them with preparing filings and pro bono legal assistance.  (BOUNDS v. SMITH, 430 U.S. 817)

Equally as compelling, if not more so, is that statutory language in the Code protects and provides for the funding of these law libraries. (W.V. Code §51-8-8)  In fact, the state law librarian is even charged in the Code with the responsibility of making sure that a copy of the volumes of the West Virginia reports is distributed to the law library in Ohio County.  (W.V. Code §51-8-5)

West Virginia citizens, especially those who are indigent, deserve meaningful access to the law and legal materials in order to insure fair access to the courts.

Stop the closings!