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Election Day

The Law Library is closed today, Tuesday, November 8, 2016, because it is Election Day.  The Law Library will reopen tomorrow, Wednesday, November 9, 2016.  A list of Court Holidays is available on the Circuit Court’s website at http://www.circuitcourt.org/court-holidays. Except on Court Holidays, the Library is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Remember polls will be open today from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.  More information can be found at the Maryland State Board of Elections

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

Tjack-and-mikehe 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, November 2, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you, Jack Paltell and Mike Ragland for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Four people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as discovery, HOA problems, and appeals. The next program date is Wednesday, November 9, 2015.

Do you have a family law matter? Family Law matters are best addressed by Family Law Self-Help Center which is located in the back of the law library.  For more information: http://www.circuitcourt.org/legal-help/family-law

Categories
lawlibrary Legal Technology

Tech Solutions for Marylanders’ Legal Needs

The trend of creating tech solutions for everyday problems has finally come to the legal world. These recent innovations signal a new model for providing legal services. One where saying, “There’s an app for that,” can truly change a person’s life.

One example is an expungement program developed by an attorney at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, Matt Stubenberg., as reported in the New York Times. Even though, “as many as one in three Americans have some type of criminal record,”  many are unaware that they may qualify for expungement, the deletion of their criminal records. Some may not be able to afford a lawyer to help them expunge their records.

On MDExpungement.com, users type in a case number and the program determines if a case may qualify for expungement. The program even automates and fills out a form for filing.

Beyond making expungement available and affordable, Stubenberg also developed CLUE – Client Legal Utility Engine. Used by attorneys during client intake, this program will search for expungeable records, public utility records, and documents filed by banks to help the attorney determine whether a client is also at risk of losing their home for failure to pay water bill or foreclosure. The program is unique in that it works toward solving one of the greater problems with access to justice: a person who comes to an attorney with one legal problem is likely to have another legal problem that does not get addressed.

Technology for legal assistance is new territory, but now the Maryland Judiciary has launched the Maryland Law Help app. This app helps users find a court, access forms, locate statutes, and get connected to legal assistance in the Judiciary’s law libraries and self-help centers through their mobile devices.

Civil Justice, Inc., a Maryland non-profit legal services organization, will soon release an online referral program called JusticeReferrals. Meant for attorney’s working for Maryland pro bono, reduced-fee, and legal services organizations, it helps those seeking help get effective legal representation in one place. First, a client’s answers to intake questions gets input into the system. Next, statewide attorneys and member organizations who handle the client’s type of case will be notified and determine if and how they may be able to help the potential client. This data driven, inter-agency referral process should help find the client the best fit for their legal concerns. It is also meant to solve the frustrations many people have when interacting with legal service providers: the feeling of being bounced from one referral to the next without knowing why and without getting effective assistance.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: Pro Bono Week Wrap-Up

Last week as we celebrated pro bono, we offered two, regularly scheduled, “Ask a Lawyer”

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Michelle Smith and Jerry Williams

programs. On Tuesday evening, October 25, the monthly program was held at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library and on Wednesday, October 26, the Law Library hosted the weekly program in the courthouse law library.  In Eastport, Jerry Williams of Patel and Williams and Michelle Smith of Brassel, Alexander, and Rice provided legal assistance to four people on such issues as wills, deeds and real estate taxes.

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Paul Farmer

On Wednesday, Paul Farmer of Gormley, Jarshow, Bowman, assisted six people with procedure in a federal discrimination case, liens, judgments and guardianship questions.

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. The service is also held in the evening, monthly, at Anne Arundel County Public Libraries. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

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lawlibrary

HeinOnline Announces UNC Press Law Publications Are Now Available Free of Charge for All U.S. Core Subscribers

HeinOnline is available in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library on all of the library’s computers. HeinOnline provides access to “the world’s largest image based legal research database.”  This includes access to a vast collection of legal journals, classic legal treatises, and more.

In August, Hein “added more than 120 legal titles from the University of North Carolina Press to all U.S. Core Subscribers completely free of charge.”  This addition brings  the total number of pages on HeinOnline to 137,643,146.

According to Hein’s Press Release: The UNC Press has a national and international reputation for publishing quality books. Established in 1922, the UNC Press was the first university press in the South and one of the first in the entire nation. These UNC Press publications cover a variety of timely topics and include both current and historical titles. These books can also be found throughout HeinOnline in their subject-appropriate collections. HeinOnline is proud to partner with UNC Press to add valuable content to our database while simultaneously providing extensive exposure for all included titles.

 

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lawlibrary

Early Voting Begins Tomorrow for the 2016 General Election in Maryland

Early voting will be available in Maryland, Thursday, October 27, 2016 through Thursday, November 3, 2016 from 8 am until 8 pm. You can find a list of early voting sites here: http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2016/2016_general_Early_Voting_Locations.pdf 

Not registered to vote? You can now register and vote during the early voting period. To register at an early voting site you will need a document that proves where you live such as your “your MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and new address.”

To find out more please visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website.

 

 

 

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lawlibrary Pro Bono

PRO BONO IS NOT SO SCARY

pro-bono-banner-2016As we celebrate Pro Bono during the National Pro Bono Celebration, the Local Pro Bono Committee hopes that Anne Arundel County attorneys will consider the many opportunities for pro bono service in our county.  But before we talk about the how of pro bono, perhaps we should talk about why.  As an attorney you have the power to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in Anne Arundel County – the elderly, children and the poor.  Your help can be the deciding factor as to whether someone has a place to live, custody of their child, or a job.

There are so many ways that attorneys can provide pro bono service in Anne Arundel County – from brief legal advice to full representation.   The many opportunities available to Anne Arundel County Attorneys are included here. 

Continue reading “PRO BONO IS NOT SO SCARY”
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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer in the Library and MVLS Foreclosure Clinic Wrap-up

On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer in the Library program. Thank you, Crighton Chase from Hillman, Brown and Darrow, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Four people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as car insurance, elder law, homeowner associations, and consumer protection. The next program date in the circuit court  is Wednesday, October 26, 2016.

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Susan Mays

Since this was the 3rd Wednesday of the month, the library also hosted the MVLS Foreclosure Clinic at the same time, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as the Ask a Lawyer program.  Susan Mays was able to provide brief legal advice on foreclosure to two people.

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Alan Forman and Nickola Sybblis
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Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney

And because it was 3rd Wednesday, the Ask a Lawyer in the program was also held at the Glen Burnie Regional Library in the evening from 4:30 until 6:30.  Three attorneys volunteered: Alan Forman of Forman Clothier Law Group; Nickola Sybblis who has a solo practice; and Cliff O’Connor of Holmes and O’Connor.  Tonight Cliff brought the firm’s new associate, Katelyn Maloney, who also happens to be his daughter to observe.  We are  happy  to add Katelyn to our volunteer list.

The attorneys were able to assist 15 people with a variety of issues including landlord and tenant; property damage; taxes; real estate; employment; estates; and housing.

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.  On the 3rd Wednesday of the month the MVLS Brief Limited Advice Foreclosure Clinic is hosted by the library.  Particpants are encourage to register for the clinic by calling 410-547-6537, but pre-registration is not required. The Ask a Lawyer program is also held in the evening once a month in the Anne Arundel County Public Library – at the Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and at the  Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday of the month. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up with Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher was the “Lawyer in the Library” today. Chris has been volunteering with this program for over nine years – since the first pilot during Law Week of 2009. He now shares the second Wednesday slot with Mike Valadez – with Chris coming in the even months and Mike in the odd numbered months.  Chris’ dedication and service is greatly appreciated by the many he has served.  Today the issues included understanding summary judgment, appeals, and amending a complaint.

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Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher has practiced law for 23 years and now has a solo practice that handles corporate matters, contracts and litigation. He is also half-time general counsel for a tech company.  He is the current president of the Maryland Defense Counsel, an organization for a fair, civil justice system comprised of those who represent defendants in civil cases including in-house counsel and government attorneys. When not practicing law Chris enjoys golf, boating, music and travel.

Chris has stayed with the “Ask a Lawyer” program for so long because he likes to help people and provide access to justice wherever he can.  He enjoys helping program participants learn about legal concepts and procedures in order to orient them in the system that they find themselves in.

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.

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lawlibrary Maryland Law

Keeping Current with Maryland Rules of Procedure

The “Maryland Rules”  regulate the practice, procedure, and judicial administration of Maryland courts. These Rules are based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure Rules and adopted by the Maryland Court of Appeals.

The most recent Rules Order is dated June 6, 2016 and was effective July 1, 2016 and is the implementation of the 178th Report. Among other changes, this rules order involves a major reorganization of the titles in the rules dealing with Court Administration; Judges and Judicial Appointees; and Attorneys. A printout of the 178th Report can be found in the law library shelved with the Maryland Code and Rules.  It consists of 553 pages!  The full text of the new rules can also be found in Maryland Advance Reports, September 2, 2016,  #36.

The Maryland Rules of Procedure are available in a number of formats from different publishers. It is important to note that even though the most recent Rules Order is dated June 6, 2016 not all of these formats reflect those changes. Basically, the online versions and one print version are current:

CURRENT:

  • Lexis rules online (lexis.com and free  reflects the 178th Report Rules Order of 6/6/2016
  • Westlaw rules online (WestlawNext and free reflects the 178th Report Rules Order of 6/16/2016
  • Maryland Advance Reports, September 2, 2016,  #36 contains the text of the rules affected by the June 6, 2016 Rules Order.
  • West Maryland Rules of Court (print) with supplement reflects the 178th Report Rules Order of 6/6/2016

NOT CURRENT:

  • Maryland Rules (print) published by LexisNexis are current only through  4/4/2016
  • Annotated Code of  Maryland Rules (print) are current only through 2/1/2016

To make sure the rules you are using are current, it is a good idea to  check the postings on the webpage of the Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure Rules at Mdcourts.gov and compare with the “current as of” information in whichever version you are using.