Author: Chi Song

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

admin-ajaxThe Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.  Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes.  No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk.  Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015,  the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you Mike Ragland and Jack Paltell, from Bell, Ragland, Gauges & Paltell, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Six people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as tenant’s rights in a foreclosure, vehicle titling, wills, contract litigation and discrimination.  The next program date is Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

It is helpful to prepare for your session with the attorney.  Here are some helpful tips:

  • Write a list of specific questions for the attorney.
  • Bring any paperwork and information related to the case.
  • Organize any paperwork from most recent on the top to oldest at the bottom.
  • Identify all deadlines.
  • Prepare a timeline of the legal issue.

If you would like to read up on your issue prior to your session with the attorney, please come find us at the Law Library’s information desk.  We are happy to assist you.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.  The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service. The program is not a substitute for representation. If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
 
Categories
Attorney Training lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Looking for Attorney Volunteers for Homeless Resource Day!

Untitled drawing (5)
Here are some of the volunteers from last year’s Homeless Resource Day!

Attorney volunteers are still needed for the 8th Annual Anne Arundel County Homeless Resource Day, which will be held this Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Annapolis High School from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Volunteer attorneys are among the many service providers available on this day to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness. During this “one-day, one-stop” program, volunteer attorneys provide limited legal advice on a wide range of topics, including expungement, family law, benefits, debt, housing and foreclosure. Homeless Resource Day provides individuals and families experiencing homelessness with invaluable services and benefits that can assist them on the path to housing and self-sufficiency.

Volunteers are needed throughout the day, which is divided into two shifts. The morning shift is from 8:30am to 12:30pm, and the afternoon shift is from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Volunteers can sign up for one or both shifts or specify a different time-range that works best for the attorney. Based on past experience, the morning hours are the busiest hours. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here or contact us!

For more information about Homeless Resource Day, check out this sites.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

photo 1
Thank you Kemp!

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.  Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes.  No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk.  Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2015,  the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Kemp Hammond from Gormley Jarashow Bowman LLC, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Seven people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as foreclosure, property, judgments, replevin and civil rights.  The next program date is Wednesday, April 1, 2015.

It is helpful to prepare for your session with the attorney.  Here are some helpful tips:

  • Write a list of specific questions for the attorney.
  • Bring any paperwork and information related to the case.
  • Organize any paperwork from most recent on the top to oldest at the bottom.
  • Identify all deadlines.
  • Prepare a timeline of the legal issue.

If you would like to read up on your issue prior to your session with the attorney, please come find us at the Law Library’s information desk.  We are happy to assist you.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.  The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service. The program is not a substitute for representation. If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
 
Categories
lawlibrary

MD Legislative Library & Information Services

The Maryland Legislative Library and Information Services provides the General Assembly and its staff with research and reference services. The library also provides reference services, research services, and legislative information to the public. You can check out their hours of operation here. The library can be an invaluable resource for Maryland legislative research and current legislative events. The library’s extensive collection includes the Laws of Maryland dating back to 1637 and the House and Senate Journals dating back to 1826. In addition, the library is the official depository for all Maryland State agency publications and county government codes with many recent documents available online, including Mandated Reports, which are available here. The library catalog is accessible online.

The library staff also coordinates educational programs for visitors to the General Assembly, including tours of the Maryland State House, legislative complex, and governor’s residence. Last year, I participated in a tour the State House and Legislative Complex organized by the library and really enjoyed learning more about the history and inner-workings of the State House and General Assembly.

If you are new to Maryland legislative research, the Library and Information Services provides quick-start guides/resources to understanding the legislative process. Check out these resources.

For those you who wish to stay current on what’s going on in the General Assembly, check out these resources.

In addition to the library, the Maryland General Assembly’s website provides a wealth of information for legal researchers. Stay tuned for a post on search tips for the Maryland General Assembly’s website.

Categories
lawlibrary

Do you need a court interpreter?

¿Necesita un intérprete de tribunal? 법정 통역관의 도움이 필요하십니까? Avez vous besoin d’ un interpréte de tribunal? ؟ةمكحملانم نّيعممجرتملجاتحتله Você precisa um intérprete no tribunal? 您需要法庭口译员吗? Bạn có cần một thông dịch viên tòa án? ВАМ НУЖЕН СУДЕБНЫЙ ПЕРЕВОДЧИК?

Earlier this week, we published a post about the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County’s website, which included information about court interpreters. At the Law Library, we often field questions from patrons looking for an interpreter and thought this post might be helpful.

  1. Request for Spoken Language Interpreter (Form CC-DC 41)  – There is form that you will need to complete and return to the Circuit Court in ADVANCE. You can access the form online at or you can ask for a copy at the Court’s Information Desk. We can also provide you with a copy of the form at the Law Library.
  2. If you no longer need an interpreter, please let the Circuit Court know. If you do not show up and did not let the court in writing at least two (2) business days before the requested date, you could be charged for the interpreter’s services.

Note that the court interpreter will interpret everything you say into English and is only available to interpret. The interpreter CANNOT provide legal advice, explain court proceedings, tell you how to answer a question or answer questions about what will happen in court.

If you need to communicate with court staff outside the courtroom, the Clerk’s Office has telephone interpretation services.

Are you an attorney with a client in need of court interpreter services? Then check out this brochure published by the Maryland Judiciary.

You can find more information about the Maryland Judiciary’s Court Language Services at http://www.courts.state.md.us/courts/courtlanguageservices.html.

Categories
lawlibrary

2015 AALL Local Advocate Lobby Day

Tomorrow is the American Association of Law Libraries’ third annual Local Advocate Lobby Day. Held in Washington, D.C., Local Advocate Lobby Day participants will head to Capitol Hill to meet with his or her members of Congress (or their staff) in order to communicate and promote discourse on the issues facing law libraries today. For those law librarians who would like to participate but cannot make the trip to Washington, D.C., the AALL has also organized virtual events. For more information, check out the AALL’s Washington Blawg’s coverage of the event. The Washington Blawg is the blog of the AALL’s Governmental Relations Office.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

www.circuitcourt.org

Did you know that the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County has a website? You can access the website at www.circuitcourt.org. The Circuit Court’s website provides a wealth of information and referrals.

Is the courthouse closed? How do I get to the courthouse? Where can I park? If you are wondering about these and related questions, check out the links available under the website’s “About” section. Here’s a small sample.

Which courtroom should I be in? Check the daily docket. However, parties should verify this information on the day of the court proceeding by viewing the docket monitors physically located in the courthouse.

How do I find an official court interpreter? How do I obtain a transcript? Can I appear in court by telephone? If you are wondering about these and other “How Do I” questions, check out the links available under the website’s “How do I” section.

I have jury duty. What do I do? Check out the website’s section for Jurors at http://www.circuitcourt.org/for-jurors.

I need legal help. Who can help me? Where can I find more information? Check out the website’s “Legal Help” section at http://www.circuitcourt.org/legal-help for links and information about Civil Case Management, Family Law Self Help Center, Forms, the Law Library, the Ask a Lawyer in the Library program and other legal links. The website’s “Learn About…” section also provides more information on topics such as Civil Cases, Drug Court, and Family Law.

This post provides only a quick guide to the Circuit Court’s website. For more detailed information, check out the Circuit Court’s website, or you can always contact us!

Categories
lawlibrary Legal Technology

Looking for information about your case?

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search website provides the public with online access to the Maryland Judiciary’s case records. Available information includes party names, city and state, case number, date of brith, trial date, charge and case disposition for District Court traffic, criminal and civil case records as well as Circuit Court criminal and civil case records. Maryland Rules 16-1001 through 16-1011 govern the public’s access to these records.

Here are some frequently asked questions we receive at the Law Library regarding Case Search.

  1. Can I access case search from home? Yes! The website address is http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp. You can also access links to Case Search from the Circuit Court’s website (www.circuitcourt.org) or the Maryland Courts website (www.mdcourts.gov).
  2. Can I access Case Search at the courthouse? Yes! The Law Library has public access computers that you can use to access Case Search.
  3. Is this official information? No, Case Search does not provide the official case record. It is simply a brief summary of the case record.
  4. What if want additional case information or the official case record? You will need to ask the court either in person at the courthouse or in writing. The clerk’s office does not accept telephone requests.
  5. I need help understanding what the abbreviations mean. You can find information about event codes and descriptions here. Criminal event codes and descriptions are available here. Traffic event codes and descriptions are available here. Civil event codes and descriptions are available here.
  6. Why can’t I find my case information? Not all case records will be made available on Case Search. For example, certain cases are protected by the Maryland Rules, such as juvenile cases, adoptions and sealed cases. In addition, landlord/tenant and marriage license records are not available on Case Search. There are also differences in how far back in history the case records will go. For the District Court, criminal case records accessible via Case Search date back to late 1991, and civil case records date back to 1989. For the Circuit Court, it will vary by courthouse. A list of specific date ranges is available here.
  7. Where can I search for Circuit Court Judgments and Liens? Once you have accepted the terms and conditions for Case Search, click on the “Search for Circuit Court Judgments and Liens”  link at the top of the page. Note that federal and state liens may not always be available.
  8. Where can I find information about an estate? Check out Estate Search, which is available at http://registers.maryland.gov/main/search1.html.
  9. Where can I find land records or copies of deeds? Check out MdLandRec.net. You will need to register to use this site, and there may be a time delay due to this registration process.

If you have additional questions about Case Search, check out the FAQ page available at http://mdcourts.gov/casesearch2/faq.html.

 

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Recognizing Anne Arundel County Pro Bono Volunteers!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Law Library hosted the Annual Pro Bono Recognition Lunch on Tuesday, February 24, 2014. Sponsored by the Law Library, the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service (MVLS), the event recognizes and celebrates the attorneys, facilitators and other professionals who provide pro bono service in Anne Arundel County through the Ask a Lawyer in the Library programs held at the Law Library and the Glen Burnie Regional Library as well as the annual Anne Arundel County Homeless Resource Day. Thank you to all of the volunteers for their pro bono service and the Anne Arundel Local Pro Bono Committee for its leadership in providing pro bono service to Anne Arundel County!

 You can see photos from past luncheons on our blog.

 If you are interested in pro bono service, check out this page or contact us!

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

Valadez
Thank you Mike Valadez!

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes. No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk. Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2015, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you Mike Valadez for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Five people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as property, estates, deeds and guardianship. The next program date is Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

Do you have a criminal law matter? Criminal Law matters are best addressed by the Office of the Public Defender. Information about the Office of the Public Defender is available at http://www.opd.state.md.us/.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library. The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service. The program is not a substitute for representation. If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.