CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More

Legal Services

    Results: 26

  • Child Support Assistance/Enforcement (2)
    FT-3000.1600

    Child Support Assistance/Enforcement

    FT-3000.1600

    Programs that provide assistance which helps to ensure that parents fulfill their mutual obligation to financially support and provide health care for their children. Included are services for people who want to locate an absent parent; establish paternity; establish a child support order; request that the non-custodial parent provide health insurance for a child in conjunction with a child support order; change the amount of a child support award; dispute a child support award; or enforce payment of child support monies in cases where the supporting parent is delinquent in paying or refuses to pay or make health insurance arrangements altogether. Child support is money paid by one parent to another for the maintenance, including the education, of their children following the dissolution of their marriage or other relationship. Non-custodial parents enrolled in an insurance plan at work may be required to include the child under this coverage while those not covered by any insurance plan may be required to obtain medical coverage, if available at a reasonable cost. Child support assistance/enforcement may be provided by private attorneys, legal clinics, family law facilitators' offices or child support enforcement programs which are available in all states, often as a component of the district attorney's office.
  • County Clerk of the Courts Offices (3)
    TD-6600.4500-160

    County Clerk of the Courts Offices

    TD-6600.4500-160

    The offices of individuals appointed by judges to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court; maintain court files, records and exhibits; handle financial matters; and provide other administrative support.
  • Crime Reporting (1)
    FN-1700

    Crime Reporting

    FN-1700

    Programs that encourage the public to provide information, often anonymously, which might lead to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of people who have committed crimes. Included are special "tip" lines and crime reporting hotlines that have been established by law enforcement organizations, employers or community resources, but not law enforcement offices which take crime reports as a part of their everyday activities unless they have a special number for a particular type of report.
  • Crime Victim Support (1)
    FN-1900

    Crime Victim Support

    FN-1900

    Programs whose objective is to help victims of crimes and their families recover from the trauma of their experience, get medical assistance when required, make their way through the legal system, have an opportunity to provide input to parole or clemency hearings, take appropriate steps, where relevant, to avoid becoming re-victimized, access the benefits to which they are entitled and rebuild their lives.
  • District Attorney (1)
    FJ-6700.1800

    District Attorney

    FJ-6700.1800

    The chief prosecuting officer for the county who is responsible for initiating charges and prosecuting people, including juveniles, who have been accused of felony and misdemeanor offenses; enforcing laws which require responsible people to support their dependents; and investigating allegations of major fraud, organized criminal activity and corruption as well as unlawful conduct by public officials.
  • Diversion Programs (7)
    FF-0500.1800

    Diversion Programs

    FF-0500.1800

    Community-based programs that provide and/or coordinate the delivery of individual, group and family counseling, training, employment assistance and other prescribed social services for individuals who have been arrested for a minor offense and directed to participate in an educational or treatment program in lieu of prosecution for the offense. In most cases, the courts suspend prosecution for a prescribed period and dismiss charges altogether against those who successfully complete the program. Included are jail diversion programs which ensure that mentally ill offenders receive treatment and support services rather than spend time in jail.
  • Driver Licenses (1)
    DF-7000.1850

    Driver Licenses

    DF-7000.1850

    Programs that issue permits which provide written authorization for an individual to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways following successful completion of a written and/or driving examination and a vision test. These programs also renew driver licenses that are about to expire, replace driver licenses that are lost or stolen, and process name and address changes.
  • Drug Courts (5)
    FC-8200.8100-170

    Drug Courts

    FC-8200.8100-170

    Special courts that have been given the responsibility to handle cases involving drug-addicted offenders through an extensive supervision and treatment program. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances. Successful completion of the program results in dismissal of charges, reduced or set aside sentences, lesser penalties, or a combination of these.
  • Elder Law (2)
    FT-2450

    Elder Law

    FT-2450

    Programs that provide information and guidance for individuals who need assistance in the area of law which relates to the rights and needs of older adults, especially in the areas of age discrimination, consumer fraud, estate planning and management, living trusts, trust administration, probate, property law, retirement planning, pension benefits, Social Security benefits, Medicaid and Medicare, disability planning, long-term care alternatives, health care decisions, elder abuse, guardianships and conservatorships.
  • Family Law (1)
    FT-3000

    Family Law

    FT-3000

    Programs that provide assistance for people who are involved in disputes or legal actions which affect their domestic relationships.
  • General Legal Aid (2)
    FT-3200

    General Legal Aid

    FT-3200

    Programs that provide legal counseling and/or representation for low-income individuals who need assistance in routine legal matters, usually in the area of bankruptcy, housing, public benefits, family law, elder law or immigration/naturalization.
  • Identification Cards (1)
    DF-7000.3300

    Identification Cards

    DF-7000.3300

    Programs that issue documentation that is designed to prove the identity of the person carrying it.
  • Individual Advocacy (2)
    FP-0500.3300

    Individual Advocacy

    FP-0500.3300

    Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals to help them establish eligibility for or obtain needed services when they have been denied benefits or services for which they are eligible, when they need assistance to communicate their needs to a service provider or to otherwise effectively represent themselves, or when they have a complaint about a service. Individual advocacy attempts to reach equitable settlements without resorting to litigation and seeks to meet individual needs without attempting to change social institutions.
  • Juvenile Courts (1)
    FC-8200.3500

    Juvenile Courts

    FC-8200.3500

    State courts that have jurisdiction over minors who have been charged with an offense that would be considered criminal if committed by an adult, who have committed status offenses or traffic violations, or who have been neglected or physically or sexually abused.
  • Lawyer Referral Services (1)
    FT-4800

    Lawyer Referral Services

    FT-4800

    Programs that maintain lists of private attorneys and link people who need legal assistance with lawyers who specialize in the required area of law.
  • Legal Counseling (2)
    FP-4000

    Legal Counseling

    FP-4000

    Programs that are staffed by lawyers who offer information and guidance regarding legal matters, proposed lines of conduct, claims or contentions including opinions on the party's rights, responsibilities and liabilities; and who offer suggestions for an appropriate course of action, but do not represent clients in court.
  • Legal Information Services (4)
    TJ-3200.4500

    Legal Information Services

    TJ-3200.4500

    Programs that provide information about specific legal problems and procedures that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the field. Also included are legal aid services, bar associations and other programs that provide basic information about family law, landlord/tenant law, immigration law, consumer law, elder law, patient rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the criminal justice system, the civil court system and other legal topics via workshops, classes, speaking engagements, printed materials, video tutorials, websites and other similar educational avenues.
  • Mediation (2)
    FP-0700.5000

    Mediation

    FP-0700.5000

    Programs that provide a neutral third person who is acceptable to all parties to a dispute who facilitates discussion between the parties and aids them in making their own settlement decisions.
  • Meditation (1)
    PV-3300.5000

    Meditation

    PV-3300.5000

    Programs that provide opportunities for people to learn and practice the breathing and mental focus techniques of meditation to achieve relaxation, mental and bodily control and the quietude to allow contemplation and feeling of oneness with the universal spirit.
  • Motor Vehicle Registration (1)
    DF-7000.5500

    Motor Vehicle Registration

    DF-7000.5500

    Programs that issue license plates for automobiles and other motor vehicles as evidence that the vehicles have been registered with the proper authorities and are authorized to be parked or driven on public roads and highways.
  • Parole (1)
    FF-0500.6500

    Parole

    FF-0500.6500

    Programs that provide for the formal supervision of people who have been conditionally released from jail, prison or other confinement after serving part of the term for which they were sentenced based on the judgment of a parole board that there is a reasonable probability that they will live and remain at liberty without violating the law. People who are on parole remain in the legal custody of the state and may be reincarcerated if they violate the terms of their parole order.
  • Probation (1)
    FF-0500.6550

    Probation

    FF-0500.6550

    Programs that provide for the formal supervision of individuals who have been convicted of a crime, usually a lesser offense, and given a suspended sentence which releases them into the community under specific conditions which may include a reduced term in a correctional facility, fines, restitution to the victim, community work, counseling, "good conduct" and other stipulations.
  • Protective Services (2)
    PH-6500

    Protective Services

    PH-6500

    Programs that provide investigation and intervention services to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.
  • Public Defender (1)
    FJ-6700.6500

    Public Defender

    FJ-6700.6500

    An elected or appointed public official (usually of a county), who is an attorney regularly assigned by the courts to defend people accused of crimes who cannot afford a private attorney. Counties may also have alternate public defenders, attorneys who represent persons charged with a crime who cannot afford to hire a private attorney in situations where the public defender has a conflict of interest. In each Federal Judicial District there is also a federal public defender, an attorney who is appointed by the court to represent individuals charged with federal offenses who cannot afford to retain their own attorney. Some states have a state public defender to supervise the provision of attorneys to convicted indigent individuals for appeals.
  • Sheriff (1)
    FL-8200

    Sheriff

    FL-8200

    The county agency that is responsible for enforcing all laws and regulations, preventing crime, investigating criminal activity, apprehending, arresting and detaining suspects, preventing and suppressing delinquency and engaging in other activities that protect lives and property and preserve peace in the community.
  • System Advocacy (1)
    FP-0500.8000

    System Advocacy

    FP-0500.8000

    Programs that seek changes in community conditions, structures or institutions when modifications in the service delivery system as a whole are required to ensure the adequate availability of essential community services, to contribute to human growth and development and to prevent unwitting support of conditions which are injurious to individuals and families who are residents. The objective of system advocacy is to make changes that are required to benefit the community as a whole rather than focusing on the needs of a particular individual, family or group of residents.