An Introduction to Community Legal Services in Prince George’s County
In Prince George’s County, community legal services play a crucial role in providing access to justice for those who may otherwise face barriers in navigating the legal system. These services are designed to assist individuals and families with a wide range of legal issues, particularly in areas related to family law, housing, domestic violence, and consumer fraud.
Services may be provided by non-profit organizations, legal aid societies, or private volunteer attorneys who offer pro bono work. These community resources help citizens understand their rights and responsibilities under the law, and they guide them through the complex processes involved in legal proceedings .
The types of legal matters typically covered by community legal services include divorce and child custody disputes, landlord-tenant issues, guardianship, immigration and citizenship matters, and consumer protection against fraud and abuse. By providing support and representation, community legal services aim to promote stability and equity in all aspects of life, from securing safe housing to maintaining family integrity.
The impact of these services on the community extends beyond individual cases. They contribute to a more informed citizenry and help to foster social and economic justice. By empowering individuals to handle their legal disputes effectively, community legal services are an invaluable asset to the residents of Prince George’s County.
Legal Services and Programs Offered
In Prince George’s County, community legal services provide aid to those in need through various legal assistance. These organizations offer a broad spectrum of support, including assistance with family law matters, immigration queries, housing issues, and criminal defense concerns.
Family law assistance is among the most crucial types of legal guidance offered by community organizations. Services often include help with divorce proceedings, child custody battles, and child support enforcement. In many cases, these legal clinics are able to provide support in both English and Spanish for families dealing with separation. Some also offer pre-filing clinics that walk prospective petitioners through the process of obtaining a divorce in Maryland.
Immigration law services can be difficult to obtain, especially in areas where the population is more transient than most. Organizations that can provide legal assistance with immigration remain valuable resources where U.S. Customs and Border Protection issues are concerned. Immigration services can include visa applications, change of status petitions, green card applications, and citizenship applications. To obtain this type of aid, however, would-be clients must frequently meet stringent criteria including documentation of hardship or extreme circumstances.
Housing rights organizations provide citizens with tools for protecting themselves against illegal discrimination under the Fair Housing Act of 1968. These programs offer a variety of legal services for renters and homeowners. Although the specific services offered will vary depending on the particular organization, examples of common services include educating the public on fair housing rights, investigating housing complaints, fielding inquiries related to legal housing issues and providing referrals to attorneys who specialize in real estate law.
Criminal law support services are also an important resource. Criminal defense organizations often assist defendants seeking pro bono representation and counsel in DUI and DWI cases. Employees at these clinics will frequently conduct intake interviews and screen for eligibility the same as any private criminal defense attorney. Sometimes, a combination of community service hours and other conditions must be met before an offender can qualify for community based criminal defense services.
How to Get These Services
Residents interested in utilizing community legal services in Prince George’s County should first determine their eligibility for these programs. The county’s legal services are generally available to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Some legal clinics, such as those offered by the Prince George’s County Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service, accept clients based on their financial need and the nature of the legal issue.
When seeking pro bono or low-cost legal assistance, residents are typically required to provide documentation of their income level, household size, assets, and anything else that will help to establish their financial situation. This documentation will help legal volunteers to determine the best course of action when addressing the resident’s needs.
Housing, immigration, family law, and basic estate planning are just a few of the many areas covered by community legal services in Prince George’s County. Those in need of legal assistance are encouraged not to worry because there are specialized services available for nearly every issue. Individuals or families interested in receiving help should be prepared to meet with the organization for an interview to determine if they are eligible for the program and what next steps must be taken.
Residents are also welcome to attend a legal clinic, which may be held at a community center or local library, depending on the event. The schedule for these clinics may change daily, as individual nonprofits and service organizations may host one of these clinics at various points throughout the week. Many times, legal clinics are held during evenings and weekends to accommodate those who work full-time or have difficulties getting around during the day.
Costs and fees for community legal services vary by organization and individual circumstances. Most programs are free and low-cost to accommodate those who are unable to spend a great deal of money on legal fees. There are government assistance programs that help those on public assistance to cover legal fees when necessary, though this isn’t always the case.
Positive Outcomes for the Community
The community legal services offered in Prince George’s County have had a profound impact on the lives of the individuals and families they serve. From preventing evictions to securing worker’s rights, these success stories are a testament to the vital role these services play in the community.
Michelle, a single mother of three, found herself on the brink of eviction after a sudden and painful job loss. Facing a possible homelessness with her young children, she sought help from her local legal services provider. With their assistance, Michelle was able to navigate the complicated legal system and receive emergency financial assistance not only to prevent her eviction but also to regain stability for her and her children. "This organization kept my family off the streets and helped me get my life back on track," Michelle said. "I am truly grateful for their support in such a critical time."
Mark, a resident of Prince George’s County for over a decade, had become a victim of wage theft, a common issue among manual labor workers. His employer had consistently underpaid him , failing to pay for overtime hours he had worked. With the help of a pro bono attorney, Mark was able to file a complaint against his employer, recovering his unpaid wages and compensation for damages. "Without these legal services, I would have lost thousands of dollars," Mark explained. "The attorneys fighting for workers’ rights are champions for low-income families like mine."
Another family success story is that of the Ortiz family, who were living in their car after being evicted from their apartment complex. With the help of a legal services provider, they not only found permanent housing but also secured financial counseling and employment services. "The difference in our lives now is exorbitant," said Mrs. Ortiz. "What was once a seemingly hopeless situation has turned into a success story for our family."
These stories represent just a fraction of the successes that the community legal services providers have achieved in Prince George’s County. Both community and private contributions are necessary to continue this success.
Partnerships and Collaboration with Other Organizations
Community legal services rely on a host of partnerships and collaborative efforts with other legal aid entities, foundations, local businesses, government agencies, and community-based organizations to achieve their mission of providing access to justice for low-income residents. In Prince George’s County, prominent partners include the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), which is the state agency that administers funding to many of the community-based legal services programs in the region; the Consumer Law Network of Prince George’s County, Inc. (CLNPCG); the Young Lawyers Section of the Prince George’s County Bar Association; and the Prince George’s County Public Library System.
The MLSC currently funds the Prince George’s County office of Maryland Legal Aid, an organization that provides civil legal services to low-income Marylanders, as well as Pro Bono Counseling and Pro Bono Consultations provided by the Human Rights Clinic. The George W. Hutchinson Community Court, which serves eastern Prince George’s County, receives funding from the Maryland Judiciary as part of its mission to foster community-wide partnerships for the purposes of assessing and addressing the needs of communities affected by crime. The Prince George’s County District Court also offers legal assistance at its courthouse equity assistance offices in the form of limited legal advice with filling out court forms and understanding court procedures. Also, Prince George’s County-based Maryland Legal Aid pro bono and private attorneys provide free legal advice, referrals, and limited representation for Maryland legal issues through the Maryland Courts Public Virtual Self Help center, which serves residents statewide via a telephone-based platform that is staffed by volunteer attorneys. Factors that have enhanced the quality of programs and services include leadership support of community legal services among the judiciary and local bar association; a passion for fair justice among the bench and bar; and an active network of community partners.
What to Expect in the Future
As we look to the future, there are several exciting initiatives poised to expand community legal services in Prince George’s County. One prominent area of growth is in the expansion of pro bono networks. Currently, more than 70% of legal service providers are collaborating with state, local, or private pro bono groups to provide resources and support to low-income Maryland residents. With continued involvement from the Maryland State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Resource Center (PBRC) and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), this trend is likely to continue. Currently, the PBRC is rolling out its statewide initiative to train volunteer attorneys to conduct legal clinics in health-care institutions. These programs have met with both resounding success and significant demand where piloted in other parts of the state. As previously mentioned, legal clinics are an incredibly effective way to ensure residents receive the assistance they need. Given that legal services are notoriously resource-intensive, these pro bono clinics are a strong model that has proven effective, and one which would benefit tremendously from continued support in Prince George’s County.
As demonstrated in the Legal Services Delivery Map, statewide services could be consolidated into a single system for Maryland residents by 2025. These services have been in pilot phases in Montgomery County, with the Legal Aid Bureau, the Montgomery County Bar Foundation, and the Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyer’s Program all collaborating to create the Community Law Center of Montgomery County. As the pilot program enters final stages , it has been extended to December 2019, with the intent to expand the current integrated legal services system to Prince George’s County in the near future. This initiative has already been discussed with the Prince George’s County Bar Association and the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, and will be led primarily by the Legal Aid Bureau.
Community-based efforts are also likely to impact how services are delivered. The Community Legal Services Partnership (CLSP), established in 2013, is a collaborative effort with local leaders across Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Supported by the Washington Council on Legal Education Opportunity’s Community Lawyering Initiative and the Abell Foundation, the CLSP works to provide support to residents in their communities by connecting them with local resources, legal services, and neighborhood resources. Supported by continued investments, this initiative also aims to expand existing civil legal services in the area. The Clinical Programs at the University of Baltimore School of Law (UB) also offer support to surrounding communities. For example, the UB Sayra and Douglas K. Fellowship provides full-time, paid legal internships to recent law school graduates who work on direct client representation for under-served Maryland communities and engage in systemic advocacy, such as working to develop affirmative law and policy that helps clients secure housing and avoid homelessness. Clinics like this provide critical advocacy and representation for vulnerable communities.