Washington County residents can get free civil legal advice

Last update: October 29, 2009 - 7:14 PM

A new civil legal advice clinic will open Monday in the Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater.

Volunteer attorneys will provide free legal advice as well as review completed court forms for up to 30 minutes per person. Subjects include civil law matters such as default judgment, housing/eviction, eviction expungement, creditor/debtor, judgment collection, consumer issues, conciliation court, and automobile title transfer. Attorneys won't provide guidance on criminal or juvenile matters, probate, termination of parental rights, driver's license issues or child protection.

The civil legal advice clinic represents an expansion of the county's family legal advice clinic, said Brian Huffman, Washington County law librarian. "The legal community has seen a great increase in litigants representing themselves in legal actions," he said. "Many people are ill-prepared before they come to court. The goal of the clinic is to change that."

Customers must be Washington County residents or involved in a Washington County court case to participate. Use of the clinic will not result in a formal attorney-client relationship, the county said.

The clinic will be open on alternating Monday afternoons. Appointments can be made by calling the county's self-service center at 651-430-6296.

KEVIN GILES

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