Candidates call access-to-justice a top problem; urge funding, new pathways

Candidates at the KCBA forum repeatedly identified access and affordability as the judicial system's central problem. Justice Theo Angelus said, "The biggest challenge by far is a crisis of access and affordability," and described pilots to let non-lawyer legal professionals and technology assist routine legal tasks to broaden access.

Multiple candidates tied access gaps to funding. Justice Colleen Melody urged the court to advocate for a larger share of public resources, noting that the judicial branch receives "less than 0.1 of 1% of the general fund," which constrains elevators, interpreter services, juror pay and family-court navigators. Several candidates endorsed exploring alternative admission pathways to expand the legal workforce: Melody and others pointed to APR 6 (apprenticeship) and a proposed portfolio pathway while stressing consumer protection and competency safeguards.

Audience questions about accommodations for people with disabilities prompted concrete recommendations: expanded remote proceedings, screen‑reader and hearing-aid support, and targeted funding for rural broadband and courthouse repairs. Candidates from both trial and appellate backgrounds said the court must work with the legislature and county governments to secure the resources needed to implement accommodations.