Demystifying Legal Aid Services
Legal aid services serve an important role in the broader delivery of justice system, allowing people who cannot afford private representation to access free legal representation when necessary. Legal aid services can help obtain food stamps or medical assistance, assist with temporary restraining orders in domestic violence cases, assist with the appointment of guardians for disabled persons, find housing for the homeless, and many other legal issues.
The help a lawyer provides through a legal aid service is generally limited to a specific type of case. In Lake County, for example , the Greater Cleveland Volunteers branch of the Pro Bono Network provides legal aid to seniors and disabled persons. Legal aid services also help seek policy or legislative changes to help improve the delivery of justice for those disadvantaged classes.
Legal aid services most often are staffed by lawyers and volunteers from the community who take on cases pro bono. Some are chartered by the state or federal government, while others are obtained from local foundations or donations. Most legal aid services, however, are run by volunteer lawyers. Many lawyers report that assisting with pro bono cases helps them to improve their lawyering skills and gives them the opportunity to help members of their community.
Who Qualifies for Legal Aid in Lake County
Lautsche & participated in a seminar on "Legal Aid Information for Seniors – What You Need to Know" on September 19, 2018. The speaker was Robert Wong, a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. A major part of the seminar consisted of explaining criteria for obtaining legal assistance from the Legal Aid Society. Generally, clients must earn less than 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines; however, a person isn’t automatically disqualified for making more than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Individuals with income slightly over that mark may still receive some help, as needed. In addition to the income requirement, clients must qualify under these specific guidelines: – be a resident of Ohio – be financially eligible – not have another way to afford counsel – have a legal matter that is covered There are several things that prohibit Legal Aid from providing assistance. Legal Aid does not handle criminal cases except for domestic violence, expungement of criminal records, and pardons from the governor of Ohio. Legal Aid assists clients in finding guardianship and adoption counsel when necessary. Legal Aid will not help with bankruptcy matters. While some divorce issues may be handled, Legal Aid will not assist with a divorce wherein one spouse is a doctor. Further guidance on eligibility is available at www.lasclev.org.
Applying for Legal Aid
How to Apply for Legal Aid in Lake County, Ohio
If you think you qualify for legal aid (remember the income limits are 125% of the federal poverty guidelines), then you should start by calling the Lake County Bar Foundation at (440) 953-7750 to make an appointment. During this phone call, the Bar Foundation staff will let you know if you need to come to the office in Painesville or if you can apply via telephone. You will also be informed as to what types of cases they can assist you with. Most legal services only deal with civil (non-criminal) cases.
On the day of your appointment, be prepared to provide the Legal Aid attorney with a few financial documents in order to determine if you qualify for legal aid. Here are some examples of accepted financial documents: Lake County Legal Aid is a non-profit program supported by the Lake County Bar. Their goals are to provide legal assistance to low income residents of Lake County in civil legal matters such as family law, guardianship, housing, employment, consumer issues, landlord/tenant matters, and other civil issues.
Legal Aid Organizations in Lake County, Ohio
The legal aid landscape in Lake County, Ohio, comprises non-profit and charitable organizations that provide a range of civil legal assistance and referral services. Below are some key organizations, along with their services and contact information.
Northern Ohio Legal Services (NOLS)
NOLS is a non-profit organization that provides legal services to low-income individuals and families in Northern Ohio, including Lake County. The organization focuses on civil legal matters, and its attorneys help clients with various legal issues, such as housing, family law, consumer rights, and domestic violence. NOLS provides direct representation, legal advice, and support services.
Website: www.notk.us
Contact:
Nothern Ohio Legal Services
1001 Lakeside Ave, Ste 650
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 1-800-975-0078
Lake County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
While not a legal aid organization per se, the Lake County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has a support staff dedicated to providing information to Lake County residents about various legal issues. This includes matters such as child support, public records access, and general legal questions.
Website: www.lakecountyprosecutor . org
Contact:
Lake County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
25 North Park Place
Painesville, Ohio 44077
Phone: (440) 279-2000
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
A regional nonprofit law firm, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland serves clients in Northeast Ohio, including Lake County. It offers assistance to those facing civil legal issues that affect their daily lives, such as family law and housing matters. The Legal Aid Society also helps with creating legal documents, securing public benefits, and advancing civil rights.
Website: www.lassnet.org
Contact:
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
1223 West Sixth St., Suite 300
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Phone: (216) 861-5070
Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF)
OLAF supports organizations and initiatives that provide legal assistance to low-income Ohioans. The foundation funds programs and services geared toward a broad spectrum of legal matters, and it works with several legal aid agencies across the state, including the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. OLAF enforces legal assistance contracts and ensures that providers offer high-quality legal aid.
Website: www.olaf.org
Contact:
Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation
305 W. Lakeside Ave., Suite 300
Cleveland, Ohio 44113-1568
Phone: (216) 861-5590
Issues Confronting Legal Aid
Legal aid services in Lake County, Ohio are not immune to many of the challenges that face legal aid organizations throughout the United States. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of adequate funding. Many donors do not fully understand the full scope of services offered by legal aid organizations, so few commits the type of long term support needed to keep the organization afloat. In addition, many legal aid services are subject to the whims of the state legislature, resulting in uncertainty from year to year about the amount of financial support legal aid services will receive from the state of Ohio. The high demand for services presents another significant challenge to legal aid organizations. Many members of the community in need of these services are unaware of their existence, and others are reluctant to disclose to strangers information they fear may be damaging for them. In some cases, there is a low level of awareness that poor legal service can have a serious impact on the community as a whole, particularly when children or persons with disabilities are involved. Legal aid services also have difficulty in getting private attorneys involved in their outreach programs, such as providing pro bono representation. In addition, legal aid organizations face challenges in hiring licensed attorneys to work for low pay or no pay while still being able to pay their student loans. Finally, legal aid organizations struggle with community awareness, which is vital for founding community support, both donor and otherwise. Even those in need of legal aid services are often unaware of their existence, and members of the public often don’t comprehend the enormity of the problems facing many of the less fortunate in their communities.
Case Studies and Results
The impact of legal aid services goes far beyond the clients who walk through their doors. In Lake County, Ohio, the legal aid community has reported a number of success stories that speak to the profound difference that access to justice can make for individuals and the larger community.
One such story comes from the Lake County Criminal Defense Project, which provides pro bono representation to indigent individuals charged with misdemeanors. Through this program, an attorney was appointed to represent a mother of two very young children who had been cited with petty theft charges. Initial interviews revealed that the mother had been addicted to heroin for over a decade and was selling heroin to supply her addiction. The defense attorney felt that an intervention at this stage could be life changing for this young woman and, after more than seven weeks of meetings with the defendant, the case was finally set for a trial. Despite the overwhelming evidence, including the woman’s own admission of guilt and the fact that she had failed to appear for her first court appearance after three months of being out on bail, the prosecution stood firm on going to trial. Finally, recognizing the significance of this case, the prosecutor offered a plea bargain that would allow the defendant a chance for rehabilitation rather than incarceration , and the defendant accepted. Six months into the program, it was clear that this young woman had turned her life around and had no intention of relapse.
In another case, the Domestic Relations Project’s Family Court Clinic provided legal advice and representation to a low-income woman seeking assistance in obtaining a divorce from a husband who had physically and psychologically abused her. At the clinic, the woman learned that she had several options for divorce, but also had other immigration remedies available to her if she were unable to obtain a divorce. She was very unhappy with the immigration process, even though it would allow her to remain in the United States with her children. The attorney took the case and negotiated a settlement with her husband. Her husband had a good job and the couple held title to several pieces of real estate. Although the woman initiated the divorce proceedings, the business-savvy husband decided he wanted the entire marital residence and the houses belonging to his wife. He demanded that she release her interest in the properties while he continued to make the mortgage payments. At the end of the day, the wife received her one thing: her children. However, the attorney and the Family Court Clinic made it clear to the client that there are other options, including a Domestic Violence Protection Order and some immigration options and advice.
