Cut Off From the Courthouse: How the Digital Divide Impacts Access to Justice and Civic Engagement

After exploring the connection between broadband policy and access to courts, civic engagement, and government services, this report by Next Century Cities and the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic at the University of California-Berkeley offers the following conclusions:

• Lack of adequate broadband access, devices, and digital literacy skills entrenches existing inequalities that civic institutions are working to eliminate.
• Remote hearings should be optional. In the courts, remote hearings can be effective for ministerial legal hearings and some substantive civil hearings. For civic institutions, remote hearings can increase access, but they can also exclude residents contending with digital access and adoption barriers.
• Deficiencies in public awareness of broadband affordability programs or community broadband services ensure that they remain underutilized. Trusted legal service providers, who work with residents eligible for broadband affordability programs, could be program ambassadors as they are an overlooked touchpoint for information.
• Lack of trust in government affordability programs can be just as much of a barrier to broadband affordability programs as lack of information.
• Mobile Internet service and devices are not sufficient for equitable access to courts, legal services, government proceedings, and public benefits.