LawHelpMN.org Free Legal Resources and Referrals for Low-Income Minnesotans MCN Annual Conference October 7, 2011 Saint Paul RiverCentre John Freeman Supervising Attorney MLSC State Support Unit

What We Will Cover Overview of Legal Aid and making referrals to Legal Aid Tour of LawHelpMN.org website, including how to find: – fact sheets and other legal resources – legal aid providers, including clinics – resources in languages other than English

What We Will Cover Innovations in providing legal assistance – Automated Assembly of Legal Documents – Online Intake – Online Advice A few words about assistance that can be provided by non-attorneys

My Goal Give you confidence that you can help your constituents find legal information and assistance

About Legal Aid Legal Aid Clients and Cases Civil Legal Issues Critical Legal Rights Low-Income and/or Disadvantaged Assets Also Considered Other Considerations, Depending on Program

Legal Services Cases Closed

About Legal Aid Legal Aid Providers Seven independent regional programs cover every county Several specialized programs No cost or nominal cost for client service; court fees generally waived

Making Referrals to Legal Aid LawHelpMN.org – designed to tailor referral information

Quick Note About LawHelp LawHelpMN.org CurrentlyLawHelpMN.org in November

Scenarios Marta: – has a newborn baby with her ex-boyfriend, Diego – Diego moved out, refuses to support the baby in any way, even though he has a good job – she asks for your help finding out her rights and getting a lawyer; her primary language is Spanish

Scenarios Jason: – moved out of his apartment six weeks ago – landlord has not returned his security deposit – landlord won’t return his calls – Legal Aid is unable to represent Jason – Jason wonders what he can do

Document Assembly Demystifying legal forms Like TurboTax® for legal forms

Online Intake 24 hour access to the legal aid application process Currently available in 20 counties (and all counties for disability law issues)

Online Intake

Online Advice Legal aid intake screening; questions submitted online Volunteer attorneys provide advice through the website

Online Advice Becker Beltrami Clay Clearwater Douglas Grant Hubbard Kittson Lake of the Woods Mahnomen Marshall Norman Otter Tail Pennington Polk Pope Red Lake Roseau Stevens Traverse Wadena Wilkin

Legal Information vs. Advice Avoid Providing Legal Advice – Definition: Interpreting and applying the law to a person’s specific factual circumstances – Examples of Legal Advice Guessing about the meaning of a law Advising about which legal option to pursue Predicting how a judge will rule

Legal Information vs. Advice The Good News – Many options in providing Legal Information – Providing legal information means guiding users to facts/resources based on their legal concerns – Examples: providing relevant fact sheets, booklets, court forms, etc. connecting people with legal services providers (and even advising they speak with a lawyer) providing information about court/legal aid locations/hours helping someone navigate lawhelpmn.org and mncourts.gov/selfhelp

Homework 1.Tour LawHelpMN.org to learn about resources we offer 2. me your contact information; I will send you a launch notice of LawHelp Try filling out a legal form at FormHelper 4.Review “unauthorized practice” materials at 5.Contact me for brochures / outreach