Everyone accused of a crime is entitled to a lawyer, whether they can afford one or not. But in civil cases, such as home foreclosures, there is no right to an attorney.
Legal aid attorneys say some people being kicked out of their homes might have been able to stay if they’d had legal help ”” help that isn’t there for everyone.
Sarah Bolling is an attorney with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Her 71-year-old client, Jenny McCaslin, bought a house more than 30 years ago. McCaslin raised her children there. Now it’s falling apart.
[blockquote]“There are lots of kids hurting badly online,†she said. “And guess what? They’re hurting badly offline, too. Because it’s more visible online, people are blaming technology rather than trying to solve the underlying problems of the kids that are hurting.â€[/blockquote]
I concur. Bearing false witness against a neighbor is committing murder from a moral sense. The defendant really has to repent before God for the terrible act she committed. She can be forgiven by God.
From a secular society point of view, this is too much of a stretch and can cause more harm than good. We as sinners have all communicated things to others that have broken the Second Great Commandment. This example has shown that the results can be tragic and we should all take note. If we were all called to account via lawsuits or criminal prosecution, there would be no one left outside of prison.
Unfortunately, very few lawyers have sufficient knowledge of the mortgage process and market to be able to provide effective, economical solutions. As a result there are many more missed opportunities than successful resolutions. One bright spot is the proactive approach being taken by FDIC for distressed Indy Mac loans. That experience indictes that 75% of foreclosures can be successfully resolved. Kudos to Sheila Bair, one of the few people who seems to have her act together in this crisis.