Category: lawlibrary

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lawlibrary Legal Technology Maryland Law Self Represented

Maryland Law Help App

With the limited access to the courts now, and the law libraries and walk-in self- help centers housed there, it is the perfect time to download the new and improved Maryland Law Help App.

New features listed on the Maryland Law Help webpage include:

  • An improved user interface including more photos and contrasting colors to improve readability and ease-of-use.
  • New categories to aid in finding what you need quicker, including: Maryland Law, Legal Help, Find Your Court, Language Access, Accessibility, and Mediation.
  • Print or share PDF documents, including Tip Sheets and court forms, directly from your phone.
  • Find the nearest courthouses, law library, or self-help center on the new interactive maps.

This APP is your direct link to the Maryland People’s Law Library and the remote Maryland Courts Self-Help Center.

The app is available for iOS and Android.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Legal Help during Coronavirus/COVID-19

The Access to Justice Commission has added a number of legal information one-pagers to their COVID-19 Resource Page. Topics include

  • Find free remote legal help
  • Understand changes in court procedure
  • COVID – Landlord/ Tenant & Evictions
  • COVID – Utilities & Other Essential Services
  • COVID – Unemployment
  • COVID – Immigration
  • COVID – Domestic Violence​
  • COVID – Emergency Open Enrollment for Health Insurance and Medical Assistance
  • COVID – Medicaid Renewal Deadlines Extended
  • COVID – Stimulus Checks to Individuals
  • COVID – Unemployment Insurance
  • COVID – SNAP/TCA/TDAP Benefits

The Self Litigation Litigation Network (SRLN) has been hosting problem solving calls for who provide service to the unrepresented or the SRL. One concern is the availability of certain forms such as power of attorney, health care directives and standby guardianship for children. In Maryland these forms can be found online:

Maryland Legal Service providers are continuing to provide services and intake remotely:

Updated 4/28/2020

Categories
lawlibrary Maryland Law

Maryland Sentencing Guidelines Updated

The Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy‘s newest edition of its E-News, Guidelines E-News Vol. 15, No. 2, reports that there is a new Sentencing Guidelines Offense Table, Appendix A of the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines Manual. The changes are effective today, April 1, 2020. The E-News summarizes the changes:

(1) classification of a new offense passed during the 2019 Legislative Session;
(2) addition of CJIS codes for a number of offenses; and
(3) minor edits to the table.


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lawlibrary Maryland Law Self Represented

Maryland People’s Law Library COVID-19 Update

The Maryland People’s Law Library has added a link to a special page for a COVID-19 Update.

Resources there include:

And a link to find out accessibility of Maryland Court Law Libraries.

The Maryland People’s Law Library is always a great source for information on Maryland law written for the non-lawyer.

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lawlibrary

NCLC Article: Major Consumer Protections Announced in Response to COVID-19

The National Consumer Law Center has published an article, Major Consumer Protections Announced in Response to COVID-19, that covers the following topics:

NCLC books are available in the law library in print and online. If you need information on any of these consumer topics, please call (410-222-1387) or email the library (AALawLibrarian@mdcourts.gov)

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lawlibrary Maryland Law

Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Business

The State of Maryland has created a page with information just for businesses. It provides links to Governor Hogan’s Executive orders, information on business relief measures, as well as interpretations of what is an essential business and contact information for questions.

Other topics on the page include:

  • Business Closures & Restrictions During COVID-19
  • Public Health Emergency Protection Act
  • Resources for Business
  • Financial Assistance & Taxes
  • Employer & Worker Assistance 
  • Licensing & Permitting
  • Educational Information
  • Enforcement

There is also link for subscribing for updates.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Maryland Access to Justice Commission COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE

The Maryland Access to Justice Commission is coordinating information among Maryland Legal Service providers and the courts. Their resource page states:

As a Marylander who may be facing a civil legal issue during this unprecedented time, you may have many questions about the status of your case because the courts have closed to the public or you may be confused about your rights.  The Maryland Access to Justice Commission, in partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association, has put together this COVID-19 Resource Page, pulling resources from a multitude of sources to make it easier for you to navigate the civil justice system during this time of emergency.  On this A2JC Resource Page, you will not only find links to different orders, but an explanation of what that could mean to you in non-legal language that you can understand. As the federal and state governments continue to take action on the behalf of U.S. and Maryland residents, we will continue to add helpful resources that will help you understand your rights under new COVID-related laws and post timely updates on court procedures impacted by COVID. 

The Maryland Bar Association has posted the answers to questions asked of the Judiciary here.

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lawlibrary

Courts and Government COVID-19 Response Resources

COURTS

Maryland Courts are providing updates on the website mdcourts.gov

The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County has updates on its homepage at circuitcourt.org

U.S. Federal Courts have information here and the U.S. Supreme Court has postponed March oral arguments and posted information on building closures and filing deadlines on its homepage.

National Center for State Courts is providing updates on the status of state courts that include data visualizations.

GOVERNMENT

The State of Maryland is providing updated information here.

Anne Arundel County Government is providing COVID-19: Information, Resources, and Cancellations

City of Annapolis links include

National Conference of State Legislatures resources include:

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lawlibrary Libraries

Library of Congress Posts Corona Virus Resource Guide

“This is intended as a guide to laws, regulations and executive actions in the United States, at both the federal and the state level, and in various countries with respect to the new coronavirus and its spread. We are also including links to Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports that provide information to Congress about the novel coronavirus. In addition, we provide links to relevant federal agency websites. We intend to update this guide on at least a weekly basis for the immediate future.”

https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2020/03/coronavirus-resource-guide/

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lawlibrary

Legal Publishers Respond with COVID-19 Resources

West Thomson Reuters:

COVID-19 Resource Center “As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread globally, our main objectives now are to support you and your businesses, and to navigate this complicated and ever-changing environment together with you. Rely on these free resources, created by our legal and tax experts, to assist you as you prepare and respond to issues.”

COVID-19 Toolkit “A toolkit to guide counsel working across jurisdictions through Practical Law’s global coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemics and business interruption content. It provides resources for use in the UK, US, China, Australia and Canada.”

Lexis:

• Managing COVID-19 Webinar Series: Learn from expert legal industry panelists how to sustain workplace continuity, navigate new challenges, and deal with other important topics.

• Coronavirus Resource Kit: Get a complimentary Lexis Practice Advisor resource kit covering a wide range of topics across multiple practice areas, addressing emerging issues and offering guidance relating to coronavirus and the law.
• Coronavirus Content on Law360: Access a complimentary, dedicated coronavirus page with breaking news, in-depth features and expert analysis and commentary on topics relating to coronavirus and the law.
• Law360 Map of U.S. Court Closures

NCLC National Consumer Law Center:

“While coronavirus (COVID-19) is primarily creating a health emergency, it is also causing financial havoc for the most vulnerable American families. The National Consumer Law Center remains focused on advocating for consumers and their financial welfare, and helping you do the same. By offering free resources and discounts on new subscriptions, the Publications team hopes to help facilitate your advocacy on behalf of consumers.”

“Surviving Debt: Expert Advice For Getting Out of Financial Trouble
As many Americans grapple with the fallout from this unprecedented health crisis, NCLC wants to remind you that our 50th anniversary edition of Surviving Debt is an invaluable resource for consumers and consumer advocates. We have made the digital edition of Surviving Debt free to all. Access it here.”