Volunteer Lawyers Project Access to Justice Programs

Presentation Goals Offer information to library staff about free and reduced cost civil legal services available to library patrons Present more specific information about VLP services offered statewide Build awareness of the difficulties people in rural areas have when attempting to access civil legal services To discuss existing VLP programming in libraries and invite conversations about how to expand these offerings – especially in context of rural programming

Civil Legal Aid Providers

Maine Civil Legal Aid Providers Volunteer Lawyers Project (Family Law and all other Civil Legal Aid) Pine Tree Legal Assistance (Landlord/Tenant, State/Federal Taxes, and more) Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (Direct Legal Assistance and Advocacy) Legal Services for the Elderly (Statewide, clients aged 60+) Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic (University of Maine School of Law) Maine Equal Justice Partners (Class Action, Education, Policy, and Advocacy) Disability Rights Maine and Maine Human Rights Commission Handout is available with more details for each organization

Eligibility Every service has financial and program guidelines for eligibility Generally speaking: Your income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line The number of people in your household can impact this number There is also an asset limit (generally excludes your home and one car) All providers encourage you to call them to determine eligibility Do not assume you are ineligible

Maine Lawyer Referral Service (MLRS) When no provider helps with a legal issue or you are not eligible Operated by the Maine Bar Association $25 Fee paid to the MLRS Client receives up to three referrals to private attorneys Free half hour consultation with each attorney Opportunity to discuss the attorney’s fees Talk about the basics of the case 1-800-860-1460

Volunteer Lawyers Project Program Outlines and Services

VLP Core Programming CHAP – (Courthouse Assistance Programs) for family law cases Case Referral Program – For all other civil legal cases Free Legal Answers Website – Three legal questions per client / year maine.freelegalanswers.org Volunteer attorneys throughout Maine log on to answer questions Helpline – Referrals from DV Agencies for consultations over the phone

CHAP – Family Law Help Clients throughout Maine can receive a free half hour consultation at our clinics Clinics take place at courthouses Many people access this service each week This is the primary family law service offered in Maine Difficult to access from certain areas of Maine, especially rural areas

Case Referral Program Civil legal cases only Clients throughout Maine can call our hotline We work with the client to complete an initial intake VLP requests relevant documents Once documents are compiled we review internally If accepted, we are often able to find an attorney to assist pro bono Some rural areas lack sufficient attorneys to handle full fee cases

Case Types VLP Generally Accepts Benefits Cases (Appealing Determinations / Overpayment) Social Security, Workers Compensation, and Unemployment Real Property, Rent to Own, Contracts Wills, Trusts, Estates, assistance with end of life matters Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, and Debt Collection We help with other cases, call us with your issue

Free Legal Answers Members of the public throughout Maine can access the website for free Create a profile using an email address Post up to three legal questions per year (civil – not criminal) Only lawyers see your questions and this is confidential Lawyers throughout Maine login and answer any question they feel comfortable addressing Clients receive an email when there is an answer to their question Excellent option for clients in rural areas

Domestic Violence Helpline This service is not advertised. Those struggling with DV issues should call their local domestic violence agency Domestic violence agencies statewide refer clients to the VLP helpline We recruit attorneys to speak with these clients regarding family law All referrals come directly from the agencies (listed next slide)

DV Resources Hope & Justice Project – Serving Aroostook County Next Step Domestic Violence Project – Serving Washington & Hancock Counties Partners for Peace – Serving Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties New Hope for Women – Serving Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, & Sagadahoc Counties Family Violence Project – Serving Kennebec & Somerset Counties Safe Voices – Serving Oxford, Franklin & Androscoggin Counties Through These Doors – Serving Cumberland County Caring Unlimited – Serving York County

Rural Access to Justice Overcoming Geographic and Logistical Barriers

Barriers to Access Logistics: Client may live far from clinics or other in-person services Technology: Client cannot access computer or communication equipment Court forms Who to call for help? Communication with legal aid providers once contacted Awareness: Client may be unaware that there are services available to help

Opportunity Costs Members of the public may be unaware of services Word of mouth and physical offices in more populated areas People in vulnerable positions may become isolated

Rural Access to Civil Legal Services Solutions Rural Access to Civil Legal Services

Libraries as Partners Often clients are closer to a library than a courthouse Libraries often have computers, printers, fax, and print resources for patrons Librarians are educated professionals who can help the patron access civil legal aid providers and court information Libraries can host programming in areas we do not have offices Offer important feedback regarding the types of help patrons need

Legal Services Day The Volunteer Lawyers Project has partnered with the Bangor Public Library to establish “Legal Services Day” VLP volunteers staff the event, held quarterly, and perform the initial intakes for our case referral program We advertise the event to increase visibility and promote both organizations as a resource for connecting with civil legal aid services We are interested in partnering with more libraries, especially in rural areas

Law Day VLP and BPL have worked together on “Law Day” in 2017 and 2018 Last event had 25 people in attendance (largest turnout in Maine) Appearance on WABI TV 5 promoting the event and another covering the event We employed no cost “earned media” strategies for Law Day and Legal Services Day: Facebook / Social Media Flyers at local businesses Posting on community calendars and message boards Mentions from radio hosts (WERU) Articles in the Bangor Daily News (online edition)

What can your library do? Provide information about the civil legal aid providers Educate staff and volunteers regarding available services Help clients access court forms Assist clients who need to print, scan, or send documents

What can we do to help libraries? Training or resources for staff? Materials to provide for patrons? Events held at your library such as legal services day? Others: