For Californians facing a civil legal issue, not being able to afford an attorney can mean navigating the court system on their own.
In Kern County, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance says that challenge is compounded by a shortage of attorneys and growing demand for free legal services.
GBLA describes Kern County as a “legal desert,” with just 0.9 attorneys for every 1,000 residents. The organization says it receives between 500 and 700 calls each week and its caseload increased 41% from 2022 to 2025…