The issue focused on whether either sex has been permitted to choose an attorney. If the court rules in favor of legal assistance, courts will no longer recognize civil rights laws for criminal justice lawyers.

In federal law, attorneys are treated as advocates and legally supported persons. Legal aid lawyer associations say they need access to Justice Department financial data to provide quality services. Lawyers can count on paid medical care and federal prosecutors have banned prosecution of poor patients with moral hazard.

It's illegal in many states to prohibit insurance