A new study by Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys analyzed all 50 states to determine which have the least reliable legal systems, using three primary metrics: the justice index (measuring fairness and efficiency, lower justice index score represents a less reliable system), the language access index (reflecting services for non-English speakers), and the number of lawyers per 100,000 people. Ultimately, these metrics formed a composite score, scaled from 1 to 100, where 100 reflects the least reliable systems. Additional data on attorney costs and average case resolution times were also considered, offering a comprehensive view of legal system accessibility, efficiency, and financial burden across states.
Findings summed up:
| States | Population | Justice Index | Language access index | Number of lawyers | Lawyers per 100,000 people | Average lawyer cost | Avg Months to solve the case | Score |
| South Dakota | 928,767 | 11.36 | 11.32 | 2,027 | 218.25 | $295 | No data | 79.6 |
| New Hampshire | 1,405,105 | 21.45 | 31.45 | 3,451 | 245.60 | $288 | No data | 72.7 |
| Alabama | 5,143,033 | 18.98 | 12.58 | 12,195 | 237.12 | $249 | No data | 70.9 |
| South Carolina | 5,464,155 | 23.69 | 28.93 | 11,090 | 202.96 | $241 | 7.96 | 70.6 |
| Nevada | 3,210,931 | 20.44 | 15.09 | 7,498 | 233.51 | $199 | No data | 69.9 |
| North Dakota | 788,940 | 22.76 | 20.75 | 1,694 | 214.72 | $288 | 7.63 | 69.3 |
| Idaho | 1,990,456 | 25.65 | 28.93 | 4,098 | 205.88 | $231 | 5.19 | 68.4 |
| Arizona | 7,497,004 | 23.07 | 15.72 | 15,506 | 206.83 | $162 | 5.97 | 67.9 |
| Maine | 1,402,106 | 28.77 | 47.17 | 4,002 | 285.43 | $311 | 11.86 | 67.4 |
| Rhode Island | 1,098,082 | 29.16 | 56.60 | 4,081 | 371.65 | $305 | No data | 67.2 |
South Dakota tops the ranking with the least reliable legal system, scoring a 79.6 on the composite scale. It has the lowest justice index at 11.36 and the lowest language access index at 11.32. The average cost of hiring a lawyer here is the third highest, at $295 per hour, adding a financial burden to the already inaccessible system.
New Hampshire follows, with a justice index of 21.45 and a language access index of 31.45. It has a higher number of lawyers, with 245.60 per 100,000 people, and the cost of hiring an attorney averages $288 per hour. Despite these figures, the state’s legal system remains one of the least reliable.
Alabama ranks third, even though it has one of the highest number of lawyers per capita at 237.12 per 100,000 people (4th in the ranking). The average cost of a lawyer here is $249 per hour, but the state’s system is still fraught with reliability issues.
South Carolina is another state with a less reliable legal system, posting a justice index of 23.69 and a language access index of 28.93. It has 202.96 lawyers per 100,000 people, and the average cost of hiring a lawyer is $241 per hour. The state also takes 7.96 months on average to resolve cases, highlighting the inefficiencies in the system.
Nevada also ranks poorly, with a justice index of 20.44 and a language access index of 15.09. With 233.51 lawyers per 100,000 people and a relatively low lawyer cost of $199 per hour, it still struggles with accessibility and fairness in its legal processes.
North Dakota’s legal system has a justice index of 22.76 and a language access index of 20.75, with only 214.72 lawyers per 100,000 people. The average lawyer cost in the state is $288 per hour, and it takes an average of 7.63 months to resolve a case, adding to its ranking.
Idaho ranks as another state with a less reliable system, with a justice index of 25.65 and a language access index of 28.93. The state has 205.88 lawyers per 100,000 people, and the average cost of legal services is $231 per hour. Case resolution time in Idaho averages 5.19 months.
Arizona comes next, with a justice index of 23.07 and a language access index of 15.72. It has 206.83 lawyers per 100,000 people, and the most affordable lawyer rates at $162 per hour. Case resolution time averages 5.97 months, but the overall system remains unreliable.
Maine stands out with the longest available case resolution time in the country at 11.86 months, adding to its ranking among the least reliable legal systems. The state has the second-highest justice index at 28.77 and language access index at 47.17. Maine has 285.43 lawyers per 100,000 people, and the average cost of hiring a lawyer is $311 per hour, the most expensive among the states.
Rhode Island rounds out the list of the states with the least reliable legal systems. It has the highest number of lawyers per capita at 371.65 per 100,000 people, however, its higher-than-average lawyer cost of $305 per hour, low justice and language access make legal services expensive and unreliable.
A spokesperson from Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys commented on the study: “A reliable legal system goes beyond just having an abundance of lawyers or lower attorney fees. Accessibility, especially for non-English speakers, and the overall fairness of the system play a crucial role in how effective the legal process is for the average citizen. Long case resolution times and high legal costs can create barriers to justice, making it difficult for people to trust or rely on their state’s legal infrastructure. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about the quality of service and equity in access that ultimately define a system’s reliability.”
Source : https://shunnarah.com/
