Spring is finally here, and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) is on the road bringing legal services access and resources directly to the people with its Justice Bus. Beginning this week, the Justice Bus is traveling through communities in southern Minnesota like Rushford, Preston, Le Roy, Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Owatonna, and Faribault. The bus is a mobile legal aid office, so instead of people coming to a SMRLS office to get legal services, the program comes to them.

First launched in summer 2021, the Justice Bus project, along with Legal Kiosks, are part of Reach Justice Minnesota, a series of initiatives created to leverage technology in response to the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19 and to meet clients in their communities.

Jocylyn Poehler, lead family law attorney of SMRLS’ southeast region, recently spoke with News 8 Now and KIMT News 3 about the planned stops on this opening Justice Bus tour, what kind of services are offered, and hopes for a meaningful impact in the lives of those who use it.