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Spotlight on the People’s Law Library

The 2014 National Pro Bono Celebration this year is October 19th through October 25th. The Law Library is excited to once again be a Celebration Supporter! In honor of the National Pro Bono Celebration, this blog will be featuring posts focusing on pro bono and other free legal services for the entire month of October.   

The People’s Law Library (PLL), available at www.peoples-law.org, is a legal information and self-help website geared towards Maryland citizens and is maintained by the Maryland State Law Library.  It is a good starting point for your legal research as the PLL provides information for self-represented litigants about the law as well as referrals for legal services.  The PLL’s content development is overseen by a committee of legal professionals from throughout the State of Maryland.  With over 1.3 million hits each month, the PLL is a great resource for Maryland residents.

Top 5 Reasons We Love the People’s Law Library

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Pro Bono at the Library – Ask A Lawyer In The Library

The 2014 National Pro Bono Celebration this year is October 19th through October 25th. The Law Library is excited to once again be a Celebration Supporter! In honor of the National Pro Bono Celebration, this blog will be featuring posts focusing on pro bono and other free legal services for the entire month of October.  

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.

To date, 121 attorneys have contributed over one thousand hours to meet with over two thousand clients.  Our statistics for recent years are as follows:  in 2013, volunteer attorneys contributed 229 hours to meet with 400 clients;  in 2012, volunteer attorneys contributed 205 hours to meet with 445 clients; and in 2011, volunteer attorneys contributed over 201 hours to meet with 479 clients.  The Law Library would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteer attorneys!  If you are an attorney interested in volunteering with this program, please contact us.  For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library, or you can check out our past blog posts about the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program!

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Spotlight on the Family Law Self Help Center

FLSHC
Follow the signs to the Family Law Self-Help Center when you enter the Law Library.
The 2014 National Pro Bono Celebration this year is October 19th through October 25th. The Law Library is excited to once again be a Celebration Supporter! In honor of the National Pro Bono Celebration, this blog will be featuring posts focusing on pro bono and other free legal services for the entire month of October.  
 

Located in the back of the Law Library, the Family Law Self Help Center (FLSHC) assists unrepresented litigants in certain family law matters, such as divorce, child custody/visitation, child support and name changes. Below is a list of questions commonly asked at the Law Library’s Information Desk about the FLSHC.

1.  Who works at the FLSHC? Is the FLSHC part of the Law Library? The FLSHC is staffed entirely by the Annapolis office of the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau. Although the FLSHC is housed in the Law Library, it is a separate entity from the Law Library. Information about the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau is available at http://www.mdlab.org/.

2.  What are the self-help center’s hours? The FLSHC is open Monday through Friday. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the FLSHC’s hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the FLSHC’s hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

3.  Do I need to sign-in? Yes, the FLSHC provides assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a sign-in desk at the FLSHC. The sign-in desk is NOT located at the Law Library’s Information Desk.

4.  Is assistance available in-person only? No, you can always call the Family Law Self Help Center at (410) 280-5374, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Also, you can call the Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550. The Family Law Hotline is a statewide, free service, staffed by attorneys, that can provide service for basic family law questions.

5.  I made an error on a form provided to me by the FLSHC.  Can I get a new copy online? Some of the forms provided by the FLSHC are available online. You can check the Maryland Courts Website’s Family Law Forms Index,  Law Help Interactive and the Department of Family Administration’s Family Forms Finder. If you are in the courthouse, stop by the Law Library. We may be able to assist you in locating the desired form.

6.  Do I need to pay the FLSHC? No, the FLSHC is funded through a grant from the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. You do not pay the attorneys and paralegals for their assistance.

7.  Can I make copies? Can I type things up on the computer? Can I print something I prepared at home? There are two copy machines available for public use in the Law Library (copies are 25¢ each), and computers are available for use in the Law Library’s computer room. You can print from the computer room (25¢ per page after the first 5 pages, which are free). The Law Library can help you with the copy machines and computers. Come find us at the Information Desk.

Did you know that SASI-Calc, the Child Support and Alimony Calculator is available in the Law Library? If you would like to use SASI-Calc, it is available on select computers in the Law Library’s computer room. If you have any questions, come find us at the Information Desk or contact us!

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lawlibrary

MDEC is launching in Anne Arundel County!

The Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) project is a statewide case management system that will be used by all of the courts in the Maryland State court system (this includes courts at all levels). Over a five-year period, the project will be launched county by county. The project launches first in Anne Arundel County in October 2014. This means that, as of October 14, 2014, e-filing is MANDATORY for all attorneys filing in Anne Arundel County! Attorneys, you must register to e-file!  A tutorial for registration is available.

Case flow management is the process by which cases move through the courts from start to finish, including pre-trial matters and post-disposition matters (e.g., monitoring, probation, restitution).  The integrated MDEC project will allow all Maryland courts to store and access records electronically.  As cases move through the Maryland court system, records will be instantly available from court to court.  This will ultimately lead to a paper-on-demand system (i.e., hard, paper copies of records will be available by specific request only).  MDEC will provide, among other things, 24-hour access, e-filing for litigants (i.e., documents will be filed/exchanged digitally rather than as paper files) and increased efficiency.  This brochure is a great, quick-start guide.

The Maryland Courts Website is a great resource for your MDEC questions.  The website also provides links to publications for review.  Are you an attorney with questions about e-filing?  Check out these FAQs posted on the Maryland Courts website.  Attorneys with general questions may find these FAQs helpful.  Are you a member of the public with questions?  Check out these FAQs posted on the Maryland Courts website.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

LIL
Thank you, Richard Ronay!

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, October 8, 2014, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Richard Ronay,  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 landlord/tenant, real estate, foreclosure and expungement.  The next program date is Wednesday, October 15, 2014.

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.

Are you an attorney interested in volunteering with the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program?  If so, you must be admitted to the Maryland Bar and be in good standing on the Client Security Trust Fund list.  Interested attorneys should contact the law library.

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.
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lawlibrary Maryland Law Pro Bono

Maryland Rules on Pro Bono Legal Service

GENERIC_CELEBRATION_LOGO_3(1)“You have to learn the rules of the game.  And then you have to play better than anyone else.” – Albert Einstein

Did you know that there are Maryland Rules on Pro Bono Legal Service?  Rule 16-812 (Rule 6.1 Pro Bono Publico Service) of the Maryland Rules is an aspirational (not mandatory) rule that provides that “[a] lawyer has a professional responsibility to render pro bono publico legal service”* and suggests a minimum 50 hours of pro bono service each year.

There are many ways to provide pro bono legal service.

◙  You can provide legal service (without charging a fee or at a substantially reduced rate) to “(A) people of limited means; (B) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or educational organizations in matters designed primarily to address the needs of people of limited means; (C) individuals, groups, or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights; or (D) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or educational organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes when the payment of the standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization’s economic resources or would otherwise be inappropriate.”

◙  You can also participate in activities to “improv[e] the law, the legal system, or the legal profession.”

◙  You can provide financial support to organizations providing pro bono legal services.

In addition, Rules 16-901, 16-902 and 16-903 address pro bono standing committees at the state and local level as well as mandatory reporting of pro bono legal service.

Do you have questions about the Maryland Rules on Pro Bono Legal Service?  A great place to start is the FAQ section available on the Maryland Courts website.  The Law Library is also always available to assist.

*All quotations, unless noted otherwise, are attributable to Rule 16-812 of the Maryland Rules, which are available online at https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)#N105FF040B79311DBB4ACEAAAE7EB7386.

 

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

October is Pro Bono Month!

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You can find Pro Bono Chocolates, specially wrapped by Joan Bellistri, in the Law Library!

The 2014 National Pro Bono Celebration this year is October 19th through October 25th. This annual celebration of pro bono is organized and sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono to recognize and promote pro bono at the national level, but with a focus on local needs and local projects.  The Law Library is excited to once again be a Celebration Supporter!

In honor of the National Pro Bono Celebration, this blog will be featuring posts focusing on pro bono service for the entire month of October.  Stay tuned as we will highlight ongoing pro bono services and programs available at the Law Library, such as the Ask A Lawyer In The Library Program, as well as opportunities to get involved, such as the Anne Arundel Pro Bono Challenge.  For more information about the National Pro Bono Celebration, including background, events, resources and news, please visit http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: Wednesday Wrap-Up

admin-ajax
Thank you, Mike Ragland (l) and Jack Paltell (r)!

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, October 1, 2014, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Mike Ragland and Jack Paltell, for volunteering and providing this service to the public.  Three people took part in the program and were able to speak with an attorney to request assistance with issues such as consumer debt, foreclosure and obtaining a car title.  The next program date is Wednesday, October 8, 2014.  

Are you an attorney interested in volunteering with the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program?  If so, you must be admitted to the Maryland Bar and be in good standing on the Client Security Trust Fund list.  Interested attorneys should contact the law library.

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.
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lawlibrary Maryland Law

New Maryland Laws Take Effect on October 1, 2014 – Spotlight on the Parental Leave Act

Pocket Part
Pocket parts are on their way!

New Maryland laws take effect on October 1, 2014!  We will be publishing a series of posts highlighting a few of the newly enacted laws.  Please note that this series is just a small sampling of the new laws enacted by the 2014 Legislative Session.  To read about more laws resulting from the 2014 session, see the 90 Day Report – A Review of the 2014 Session published by the Department of Legislative Services of the General Assembly of Maryland.

Maryland’s new Parental Leave Act (Senate Bill 737, Ch. 333 /House Bill 1026, Ch. 334) requires employers in the State of Maryland, with 15 to 49 employees, to provide eligible employees with certain unpaid parental leave benefits for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.  Maryland employees may also be eligible for leave pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). For information about the FMLA, which requires covered employers with 50 or more employees to provide eligible employees with certain specified types of leave, see the United States Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/.

More information about family and medical leave in Maryland is available at http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/maryland-family-medical-leave.html.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: Wednesday Wrap-Up

LIL Photo
Here is the Law Library’s Sign-Up Lottery Basket.

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, September 24, 2014, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Baldwin, Kagan & Gormley, LLC, for volunteering and providing this service to the public.  Eight people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as home foreclosure, insurance liability, worker’s compensation and tax liens.  The next program date is Wednesday, October 1, 2014.

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is also hosted by the Anne Arundel County Public Library, Glen Burnie Regional Library, on every third Wednesday of the month, August through May, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Sign-up is at 4:15 p.m., and time slots are determined by lottery.  The Glen Burnie Regional Library is located at 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21060.  Their main telephone number is (410) 222 – 6270.

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.