Recently, I was at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, when I had the honor of witnessing the amazing Stephanie M. Lummus, Managing Attorney at ArchCity Defenders,give a talk about the bankrupt system of justice in St Louis. Ms. Lummus shared examples of injustices towards the poor in the St. Louis area, how corrupt the system sometimes is and how she and her colleagues at ArchCity Defenders make a courageous stand against it. ArchCity Defenders is a nonprofit civil rights firm that provides holistic legal services and combats the criminalization of poverty against poor people and people of color through direct representation, impact litigation and media advocacy.
Simultaneously moved and enraged by the stories she shared of cases she’s seen over the years, I decided right away that I wanted to help somehow. Problem was, how, exactly? I have no legal experience, and I don’t plan on studying law any time soon. I wondered how I could possibly help aside from donating to ArchCity Defenders.
Then it hit me. I could easily spread the word with the power of the pen (or, in my case, keyboard).
Here is some background information about her cause that can easily be found on the ArchCity Defenders website, which is archcitydefenders.org:
ArchCity Defenders uses direct legal services, impact litigation and policy and media advocacy as its primary tools to promote justice, protect civil and human rights, and bring about systemic change on behalf of the poor and communities of color directly impacted by the abuses of the legal system.
ArchCity Defenders officially began its work in 2009. They compassionately work with people with disabilities, homeless veterans, immigrants, people struggling with substance abuse disorders, survivors of intimate partner violence, and families facing eviction.It’s important to stress that they provide these service free of charge, providing help to those that desperately need it that couldn’t otherwise receive such services. Attorneys at ArchCity Defenders provide holistic legal services to clients throughout the St. Louis region (St. Louis City, St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties).
Ms. Lummus has an important role within ArchCity Defenders, and I was lucky to spend some time learning about her work experiences and the moments that both humble and inspire her.
Q: How long have you been working for ArchCity Defenders?
A: Three years.
Q: Have the changes made because of the Department of Justice investigation of Ferguson made a significant difference? Or did they just scratch the surface?
A: I think the DOJ buttressed the research, work and subsequent lawsuits that ArchCity Defenders brought on behalf of the vulnerable population targeted the unconstitutional practices of the municipal courts. Before people took to the streets, stories from ArchCity’s clients made it clear what the problems were and what legal recourse was needed to address the systemic injustices. Our original white paper, published in August 2014 provides a good overview of those issues. ArchCity Defenders’ lawsuits have made significant impact in the region. We are asking courts to do what they’re already supposed to be doing: follow the Constitution. The efforts of activists and organizers galvanized the push for change in our region, too. ArchCity Defenders is the legal arm and we all work together to hold municipal courts, police departments and prosecutors accountable.
Q: What exactly about ArchCity Defenders originally drew you in and why do you continue to work for them?
A: I think I always knew that I wanted to do public interest work. The first person I represented was a young woman without a lawyer or a champion. She cried every time she walked into court, she felt like she didn’t belong there. When I met her and learned that there were hundreds of thousands of people without a lawyer, I knew what I had to do. It’s hard to think of the hundreds of people who don’t have a public defender, a lawyer, a champion. The system is made so that people without money will struggle at every corner to get out of it. We should not live and operate in a society where justice is bought or where freedom is bought, but we do.
ArchCity helps people find their way through, and that is a heroic thing.
Q: What is the most typical case you see?
A: Myself and other attorneys at ArchCity Defenders represent people who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness. We’re talking about non-violent offenses that are poverty charges accrued against people who don’t have the tools to navigate a complex legal system. These are folks who don’t have access to critical resources like substance abuse and mental health treatment, or access to housing, food, hygiene or health care. The people within this population also likely don’t have an adequate support system and are constantly in a state of flux.
Q: What is the most heartbreaking or infuriating case you've ever worked on?
A: I worked with someone who was addicted to heroin. Tragically, he died of an overdose. I saw how addiction can really destroy someone’s life and that was difficult. The population we work with have complex, interrelated and unmet needs. ArchCity Defenders provides holistic legal services to help people get connected with critical resources like substance abuse, mental health treatment, housing, employment and education.
Q: Why, exactly, do you think the system can be corrupt?
A: When courts begin to focus on profit over public interest, money takes hold. The focus on revenue generating has clouded the original intent of the law. The DOJ report cited numerous examples of the court disregarding public welfare and using the people in St Louis County as ATMs. It doesn’t mean that everyone in those courts are bad, but there are still practices that prioritize profit over people, and that’s a problem.
Q: Do you believe that anyone can make a difference in their community regarding injustices towards the poor?
A: Yes. I think people can learn, read and educate themselves on the issues in the St Louis region. It’s important to know what’s happening to our neighbors and our communities. Once you have awareness of the struggles and the systemic injustices that people face, I find that people are motivated to act.
Q: How can your average Joe help with your cause?
A: ArchCity Defenders is fighting for the folks who are the most vulnerable in the region. Follow our work in the news and on social media. It’s important to be educated on the issues that define us as a region, the struggles with imprisoning the poor and disenfranchising communities of color. There are several ways to get involved, whether that is donating, sponsoring events, contributing your talents as a volunteer or taking public action. Whatever it is that you like to do to help, do something.
Q: How can millennials in particular help?
A: Utilize social media and bring worldwide focus and attention to these critical issues. ArchCity Defenders is on Twitter @archcitydefense and on Facebook. Like, follow, retweet our posts and help us to expand our reach.
