Persistent stereotypes and misconceptions about judicial institutions in Colombia have created behavioral barriers to justice, particularly among marginalized communities. These barriers—rooted in misperceived discrimination, institutional distrust, and fear of social costs—limit citizens’ willingness to seek legal recourse despite the availability of services. The project Derribando Estereotipos para un Mejor Acceso a la Justicia, implemented under USAID’s Programa de Justicia Inclusiva, applied behavioral science to dismantle these immaterial obstacles through low-cost communication strategies rather than infrastructure investment. Using the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) framework, a mixed-methods diagnostic identified key determinants of avoidance behavior via 24 focus groups and 1,205 surveys across twelve municipalities. Two audio-based interventions were tested experimentally: (i) informational messages and (ii) narrative messages delivered as dramatized stories. Random assignment and difference-in-differences analysis revealed that narrative framing significantly increased institutional trust (+18 percentage points) and reduced perceived discrimination (–33 points), outperforming informational messages. Qualitative feedback emphasized the value of relatable language and emotional engagement in fostering confidence and empathy. Findings demonstrate that perception-based barriers can be effectively addressed through narrative communication, offering a cost-efficient, scalable approach to improving justice access. Behavioral strategies that humanize institutions and resonate with community realities are essential for inclusive governance.