The Honorable Lisa Woodruff-White Judge, East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court

1. The Honorable Lisa Woodruff-White Judge, East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court

2. http://www.familycourt.org/main/inside.php?page=self-help_resourceshttp://www.familycourt.org/main/inside.php?page=self-help_resources • Logistics

3. Self-Help Center Logistics • Location • Courthouse ; Tuesday and Thursday 10a.m. – 2:00p.m. • Funding • The Louisiana Bar Foundation funded a study which showed that every dollar spent on civil legal aid in Louisiana returned $8.73 in immediate and long-term benefits. • Court, Local Bar Association, and Partners • Staff Volunteers • Local Bar Staff, Attorneys, Students, Notaries

4. Services • Forms • Providing form packets with detailed instructions • Divorce Forms (No Fault Divorce/Domestic Violence Divorce), Forms Concerning Children (Establish Custody, Modify Custody, Contempt Forms), and Others (Motion to Reset, Long Arm Service Affidavit, Pauper Form, Forms to Appoint Attorney) Disclaimer: The forms offered by the SHRC may not be applicable to your situation. If you use the forms provided, it is important that you understand the legal burden necessary to obtain relief you are seeking. If you do not state a valid cause of action, your pleading may dismissed at your cost. If you have legal questions, you should  consult with an attorney.

5. Administration • Intake Process • Inform self represented litigants (SRLs) that an attorney may better represent their needs • Initially refer SRLs to South East Legal Services, if they qualify • Clearly state that the Self-Help Resource Center cannot give legal advice • Explain how to complete forms, but do not explain claims or defenses • Ensure SRLs are in the correct venue

6. Administration - Disclosures • Best to have an attorney to represent you in court. • Check Louisianalawhelp.org to find legal service providers in your area. If you are representing yourself, please consult the following resources for legal information.  • Information is not considered legal advice. This page has been prepared for general information purposes only. • Some information in this website may not be correct for where you are. • Information on this website cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your state.

7. Administration - Disclosures • Provide legal information but cannot provide legal representation in court or legal advice. • May only assist with providing limited information and documents. • May assist with both sides in cases. • Services provided in an open room - no expectation of confidentiality concerning any matter discussed. • Users required to sign a disclosure statement indicating the terms of use.

8. Domestic Violence SRLs • Intake process for DV Petitions • Dismissals of Petitions • Notice of Gun Violations • Failure to Appear, Cost and Refiling • Pre-Court Preparation • Service Referrals

9. Unintended Consequences • Security Issues • Unhappy Attorneys • Frivolous Filings • Volume • Improper Venue

10. Who Are We Serving? • Total Number of Litigants in 2016: 1,864

11. References • http://files.lsba.org/documents/ATJCommission/ATJCommissionEOY.pdf • http://www.raisingthebar.org/about-us/newsroom/80-lbf-news/343-investing-in-civil-legal-aid-has-a-ripple-effect-on-the-community • http://www.srln.org/taxonomy/term/98 • http://www.familycourt.org/main/inside.php?page=self-help_resources

13. Franklin County Municipal Court Self-Help Resource Center • Gene Edwards • Director of Legal Research • Part-Time Magistrate

14. Background • A Collaboration Success Story • Columbus Bar Association / Columbus Bar Foundation; idea; start up funding • Franklin County Board of Commissioners; space for center • Franklin County Municipal Court; project approval; special project fund • The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law; contract partner for staffing

15. Background • A Collaboration Success Story • Columbus City Council; OSU contract approval; general support • Franklin County Law Library; outreach assistance • Legal Aid Society of Columbus; development; brief advice clinics • Columbus Bar Association Auxiliary; coloring books, crayons, etc.

16. Logistics & Services • Written information materials • Specific topics (record sealing, landlord/tenant, small claims, consumer) • Court forms and documents • General information (how to dress in court, how to try your case, etc.)

17. Logistics & Services • Staffed by licensed attorney / Moritz Fellow • Screen for indigency (~250% FPL) for personal assistance • Intake Sheet (disclaimer, info and stats, financial screening, reason for visit, etc.) • Assistance filling out forms; help understanding eligibility/process for sealing of records; help understanding where to go, when, how to file, etc. • Assistance varies based on Visitor’s situation • Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

18. Who we are serving

19. Average Daily Visitors

20. Visitors Served 2017 (Jan-Jul)

21. Challenges • Increasing foot traffic & Visitors • Marketing consultation, proposal, OSC grant application • Move to Municipal Court building? • Training / passing on institutional knowledge to new Fellow • Manual and topic sheets • How to gather data?

23. Impetus for Legal Self Help Center • Court Strategic Planning Process • 2008 Construction of Courthouse • The Importance of Seizing Opportunity

24. http://www.miottawa.org/Courts/Legal/

25. Quick Facts • Since opening in 2010… • ~10,000 volunteer hours • ~25,000 patrons served • ~85% of cases – Domestic Relations • Began as “all volunteer”; now 2FTE and core of ~12-15 volunteers • Primarily funded through Court budget with supplemental grants

26. LSHC Goals • Enhance public trust and confidence in the courts • Provide central point of contact for SRLs • Reduce court staff time with SRL questions • Ensure SRLs file appropriate documents • Enhance understanding of the courts • Reduce adjournments • Provide appropriate referrals • Increase likelihood SRLs are prepared for court

27. Available Services • Open 8:30-4:30 M-F • Available in 2 of 4 court locations • Questions may be raised in person, by telephone, or online • Many publicized online resources, including informational videos on topics like immigration, ID theft, medical marijuana, gangs • Assistance with forms and procedural questions • Attorney referrals

28. Sample Referral Form

29. Benefits to Local Bar Association • LSHC promotes hiring an attorney • Referrals/Attorney business cards are available • LSHC volunteer service meets Michigan pro bono standards

30. Ongoing Challenges • Sustainable funding (need a strong cheerleader…) • Volunteer issues (timeliness, consistency of service, training, attrition) • Need for services in multiple courthouses • Periodic staff/volunteer security concerns

31. Our Journey Continues…

32. Q & A

33. Something to Remember… "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Dr. Maya Angelou

34. Thanks for your participation!