An Overview of Community Legal Services
Community legal services refer to legal aid given to low-income individuals, which is often free or substantially subsidized. Community legal services are essential in assisting those who are unable to pay for legal representation to have access to the services they need. Without community legal services, it would be incredibly difficult to gain assistance with legal processes. For high-income residents of Prescott, paying for legal aid is not much of a difficulty. Unfortunately, this is not the case for those with modest or low incomes.
Community legal services are typically provided by public interest law firms, law schools, or other non-profit organizations. In Prescott, community legal services are provided by numerous government and non-profit organizations, including the Legal Aid Society, which offers programs for victims of domestic violence and offers court assistance for family members of the elderly. The Greater Prescott Economic Council also provides community legal services free of charge. The needs of the residents of Prescott are vital to the operations of all the community legal services providers in the area.
When you come across a legal issue that you need assistance handling and you cannot afford or simply do not want to pay for legal representation, community legal services are a viable option . Community legal services can provide you with the support and legal advice that you need at a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney. Through excellent community legal services, lawyers offer their services on a pro bono basis to help individuals and families get the legal help they need. With the help of community legal services, attorneys can go above and beyond their government duties to help individuals and families secure the representation they desire.
Access to justice is one of the most important aspects of our judicial system, and community legal services ensure that every person has equal opportunity to secure representation if they cannot afford it. Community legal services are available in the local courts, providing legal representation and other forms of support for those who need them. Community legal services may be provided in a filing center, where you can file your paperwork with help from community representatives familiar with the local court system. Community legal services offer many different ways to obtain legal aid, ensuring that everyone has the ability to get the help they need. If you need legal assistance and can’t afford to pay for it, community legal services can help you every step of the way.
Categories of Legal Aid Offered
The types of legal assistance provided by community legal services in Prescott are as diverse as the people they serve. Typically organizations are structured to provide a broad range of services or to focus in entirely different areas of the law, such as housing or employment law.
An example of an organization that serves a wide variety of clientele is the Yavapai County Bar Association. Along with providing education in legal issues and a lawyer referral service to the public, the association also runs a pro bono program that offers free legal services to those in need, introductory seminars, and other assistance to the public without charge being required.
Legal Aid of Prescott is an organization that has served clients since 2006 in the areas of family law, taxes, bankruptcy, and more. The organization accepts cases on a pro bono basis and is always looking for volunteers with either legal background or those interested in helping the low-income members of the community. Another organization with a similar legal focus is Community Legal Services, a statewide program that has served clients since 1950.
One of the most-currently relevant areas of law that many people may require legal services for is criminal law. The Prescott office of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest recognizes the importance of this and offers services in criminal law. Their goal is to provide the public with the information needed to represent themselves in open court, however, for more serious crimes or if a case involves complicated legal arguments, Area Lawyers Volunteer for you (ALVF) may be recommended.
The AVLF works with family law, juvenile law, and criminal law and may serve as an invaluable resource for those in need of legal representation as a result of a recent run-in with the police or the courts.
Who Can Use Community Legal Services?
Community legal services are not available to everyone. The lawyers that offer their services free of charge in Prescott, PA, need to be able to determine whether you qualify for their services or not. Each organization or firm has its own requirements and some organizations even accept different criteria. However, there are some commonalities in the rules.
First, since most of the lawyers are retired or have other reasons for offering their services for free, you need to be of very low income to qualify for these services because the lawyers have limited time to serve others in this way.
Second, if you are not of very low income but have a legitimate reason for needing help that does not fall under the financial category, you may be able to obtain help if you can prove you have no other means of obtaining the legal counsel you need.
Third, you cannot hire a community legal services attorney for a lawsuit in which you are pitted against another business or individual. These services do not apply to help with problems such as divorce or guardianship, but only for other needs such as wills and trust planning, creating DBA articles, starting a new business, and other minor legal needs.
If you want to find out whether you qualify for free legal help in Prescott, Pennsylvania, contact one of the community services in the area.
How to Seek Legal Aid in Prescott
The process of obtaining community legal services in Prescott starts with contacting the CLC. Residents can call the CLC directly at (928) 771-3165 or visit their offices in person, located at 132 N. Sheldon St., Prescott, AZ 86301. Availability is Friday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residency in Prescott is not a requirement for assistance, but there are specific prerequisites that must be aligned before services can be provided.
Upon making contact, applicants will consult with helpful volunteers and staff members to determine their eligibility for services. Fees and income should be discussed during this time, as well as any other financial factors that may apply. Those who qualify will also receive information about any necessary documentation they may need to bring so that the consultation can move forward efficiently. It’s important to note that a phone appointment is available through request; however, the availability of this option may vary by staff and scheduling needs. If at any time you are unable to contact the office, feel free to leave a voicemail or email the main address ([email protected]) for follow-up assistance.
Connectivity is a critical component of community law programs and services, which is why community partners and legal organizations have made it a point to provide resources and assistance online as much as possible. From access to forms and educational materials to informational resources like guides and FAQs, the CLC has gone to great lengths to ensure residents in Prescott have the information they need at their fingertips. As always, you’re welcome to visit the CLC website for more services and updates on Prescott’s community legal resources.
Advantages of Community Legal Services
Community legal services are designed to be a resource for individuals and families that may not otherwise be able to afford legal representation throughout Prescott. CLS attorneys provide the same top-tier services as counterparts at large law firms, with the added benefit of familiarity with the local legal landscape, along with a commitment to serving community members in need. With cost savings, accessibility and advocacy support, working with a community legal services provider can help to alleviate financial pressures and an uncertain environment.
While many attorneys charge by the hour, most community legal services providers use contingencies and encourage clients to concentrate on their mental well-being. The majority of CLS firms do not require a retainer, which makes it easier for community members to focus on what matters without worrying about hourly billings that could impact the family budget.
Community legal services often have a robust understanding of the surrounding Prescott region, as these attorneys are involved in faith groups, volunteer, and otherwise engage with the community in a meaningful way . The trust inherent in these relationships provides clients with more confidence and court readiness.
Community legal services providers make access to the legal process easier through simple scheduling, flexible hours and easy communication. Many clients who are served by CLS attorneys are supported in geographical areas ranging from Prescott Valley, Arizona, to Prescott, AZ. Community legal services also streamlines the process so that legal representation at court hearings and during mediation is always available, and clients do not need to bounce around to meet with different attorneys, or face the possibility of service being restricted due to geographical areas.
Having the support of a community legal services firm can greatly impact an individual’s mental well-being, as most attorneys make it a priority to develop a strong working relationship with each client. From the initial meeting through each hearing and case closure, community legal services attorneys walk clients through the process to ensure an understanding of what is happening at each step.
Success Stories and Reviews
Through word of mouth and community outreach, service providers at the various Prescott legal aid organizations have been able to collect a number of testimonials illustrating how community legal services have benefited community members. Information on how clients feel about the services and how they have been able to utilize the services helps to encourage others to seek out legal assistance.
The following testimonial is from someone who successfully utilized a pro bono attorney through SMLC: "I just want to express my sincere appreciation for [my attorney]. He was wonderful. I will be eternally grateful to legal aid for having such a program. [My attorney] was very compassionate and understanding and thorough… I had nowhere else to turn."
This response is from someone that called 2-1-1 of Arizona: "Thank you so much for your sincere, caring and personal referral to the prescott area. I have my appointment this afternoon to get a will completed and I feel a relief just hearing how helpful you were and how accommodating the lawyer sounds. Bless your heart."
The following statement is from someone who consulted with AHAA: "When I first heard about the availability of assistance from the AHAA, I thanked God. Following the initial meeting, i said to my husband that "there is hope yet" … we are in their hands, we must appeal their decision… they understand the situation and are willing to fight for us… true angels!"
Commonly Asked Questions
The world of community legal services in Prescott can be a confusing one. Here, we address some common queries and misconceptions:
What types of legal issues can community legal services help with?
Community legal services provide support for a wide range of issues, from divorce, child custody and housing to more niche legal concerns such as elder law or consumer fraud. The availability of specific services will vary from one organization to another.
Am I eligible for community legal services?
Eligibility requirements vary. Many determine eligibility by income, while some organizations, like the Prescott chapter of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, evaluate eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Will the attorneys be qualified to handle my case?
Yes — community legal services employ attorneys who are as experienced and qualified as those found in traditional law firms. Their focus is simply different , aimed at devoting time to pro bono volunteer endeavors and seeking to ensure that everyone, regardless of capacity to pay, has access to vital legal support.
Will I be paired with a lawyer with experience in my specific legal area?
When you first reach out to community legal services, you’ll gain access to staff who are adept at referring specific clients to attorneys with niche experience. Depending on your issue, you may start the process by working with highly qualified paralegals.
How do community legal services differ from legal aid?
The primary difference lies in funding sources. Legal aid is federal- and state-funded, while community legal services are primarily funded by private donations, with some from client fees and government grants.
