Douglas County Legal Aid 101
The world of law is notoriously complex, full of twists, turns, and requirements that often seem completely foreign to the general population. A legal aid lawyer, sometimes referred to as a public defender, is a person who is trained to help navigate the system and explain how things work for the benefit of those in need. Legal aid is a crucial lifeline for those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own and even those who make less money than the average person. Without sites like DouglasCountyLegalAid.org and other groups that provide needed resources like a legal aid lawyer in Douglas County, people would find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.
The term "legal aide" may come with several additional titles and can refer to any number of things. For instance, many law firms hire legal assistants or paralegals and those people may sometimes be referred to as an aide to aid clients in dealing with the law. For the purposes of this page, however, we are referring to legal aid in Douglas County in terms of representation for those who can’t afford a lawyer or who can’t find one in a timely manner.
Part of the problem comes when trying to split hairs between different types of lawyers. Not all lawyers in Douglas County can handle every situation. A criminal lawyer in Douglas County may be able to defend you from charges but can’t provide civil (non-criminal) legal representation. Conversely, a civil lawyer can often handle more than one thing but may refer out criminal matters to other attorneys. As such, it pays to know what is available and what is offered in your area.
For those in need of a divorce, you may get a family law specialist or a divorce specialist. Both attorneys may be capable of representing you in your divorce. Others obtain their licenses through testing and demonstration of their ability to practice law and their knowledge of the law , but they don’t have a specific specialty. These attorneys can usually provide services related to any matter of law in most locales more quickly and easily than a specialist can.
The basic idea of legal aid in Douglas County is to help those who qualify by providing representation without a some-or even any-charge to the client. For those who do not make enough money or who have been disabled, but who do not qualify for government assistance in other areas, there are lots of loopholes in the law that seem insurmountable. Legal aid in Douglas County helps that gap by providing representation without charge.
In one sense, this is a service that takes advantage of some loopholes by getting a free lawyer for its clients but in reality, this is just about the only option available to those in need. There is often no other choice because those who are "ineligible" for government assistance in areas like Social Security do not have the option of relying on any other program to supply them with the aid they need.
When it comes to free legal aid in Douglas County, there are other types as well. For instance, a pro bono lawyer may also provide their services pro bono or for free. Pro bono lawyers may be licensed as part of their advanced training or through some other route, but in the end, this refers to a lawyer who agrees to take one or more cases for free or less than the standard rate. Some take fewer low-paying or pro bono clients to give people in need a better chance at winning their case. There are many times when a legal aid lawyer in Douglas County has a client come to them seeking the advice of a lawyer who is not there to defend them. For instance, in a divorce case, the district attorney likely has a lawyer that represents the State in prosecuting the matter. A DUI case may include a prosecutor’s lawyer who proceeds with prosecuting a drunk driving case. In the latter situation, the State also has a pro bono lawyer who specializes in handling drunk drivers for the purposes of collecting fines and assessments.
Available Legal Aid Services
As part of their comprehensive support for low-income families, Douglas County legal aid groups cover a wide range of legal services. Below, we highlight the major areas of legal assistance:
Family Law
Douglas County legal aid organizations are especially known for their representation in family law matters. They offer legal aid to veterans through Veterans Legal Services and those who qualify for public housing assistance through the Housing Authority of the County of Douglas:
Housing Issues
The Housing Authority of the County of Douglas and Community Services Consortium provide eviction assistance to low-income individuals and families in Douglas County who have fallen behind on rent payments and current due:
Consumer Rights
Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Community Services Consortium helps victims of consumer fraud, including issues related to fraud, false advertising, and illegal collection practices:
Family Debt
Community Services Consortium provides a sliding-scale legal advice clinic for low-income residents in need of advice about debts, including credit cards, mortgages, student loans, and creditors:
Nonprofit Formation
Legal Aid Services of Oregon advises low-income people on starting and maintaining a nonprofit organization in Oregon:
Immigration
Douglass County’s Immigrants Home are also supported by local and regional non-profit organizations and works with legal aid and immigration workers to consult immigrants on naturalization, deferred action on deportation, temporary status, green cards, and work permits:
Veterans Benefits
Veterans Legal Services New River Valley, established late in 2016, is an all-volunteer nonprofit offering free advice and limited-representation legal services to low-income veterans in Douglas County, Oregon:
Taxes
The Community Services Consortium offers free legal advice about taxes, tax fraud, and tax refunds:
Who is Eligible for Legal Aid in Douglas County?
Depending on the nature of the legal issues, the good news is that any and all individuals in Douglas County, Colorado are eligible to receive free or low-cost legal aid services. Most people will be able to take advantage of various legal aid programs provided by organizations such as Colorado Legal Services.
However, there are some restrictions on eligibility depending on income and the type of legal aid being sought. For example, the Colorado Bar Association provides a list of what’s covered and what’s not covered by their services for bankruptcies and foreclosures, each of which is covered by Colorado Legal Services.
Some restrictions on eligibility or financial need are inevitable – for example, because the funding for legal aid is limited, many organizations have restrictions on income and/or residency requirements. This is often the case with certain sub-programs of the free legal aid services, where legal aid is provided through local or regional agencies.
By and large, the bulk of those who will benefit from accessible legal aid will be middle-to-low income families, be either permanent residents or citizens of the United States, and not be involved in legal matters involving another legal aid organization. A full time student or a person over 60 may also in some cases qualify as legal aid candidates.
Application Process for Legal Aid
Douglas County Legal Aid offers a range of civil legal services to individuals and families going through financially taxing experiences such as divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and domestic violence. However, in order to receive these services, applicants must first apply for legal aid. Below are the steps to apply for legal aid in Douglas County, along with the required documentation and some tips to streamline the application process.
To apply for legal aid, an applicant must complete the legal aid request form, which can be found on the Douglas County website or may be available at local legal aid offices. This form includes basic information about the applicant, including their contact information and the nature of the legal aid being requested.
Along with the legal aid request form , an applicant will need to submit various documentation, depending on the type of legal aid being sought. For example, if applying for legal aid in a family law case, an applicant may need to submit documents such as:
It is important to have all the required documentation ready to speed up the application process. Missing documentation can lead to delays or a denied application, so applicants should carefully read the forms and instructions to ensure they have everything needed before submitting their application.
Here are some tips to keep in mind throughout the application process:
By following these steps and tips, applicants can apply for legal aid with greater ease and can better navigate the Douglas County legal aid system.
Legal Aid Entities in Douglas County
In addition to the Colorado Judicial Branch, the following organizations provide vital support and resources to those in need of legal assistance in Douglas County:
Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado:
Mission a Branch of the Colorado Legal Services.
The foundation’s mission is to enhance the delivery of quality legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout Colorado; educate low-income individuals and families about their legal rights and responsibilities; coordinate, facilitate and conduct legal education programs; inform the public on solutions to problems facing the legal aid/legal services community; encourage, facilitate and support opportunities for attorneys to volunteer their time, talent and money to assist low-income Coloradans access the justice system; and manage endowments, designated funds and funds for which it serves as the trustee as well as engage in other fundraising activities to support its mission of enhancing the delivery of civil legal services.
(970) 878-5700
382 White Ave, Suite C, P.O. Box 653
Meeker, CO 81641
The Justice Center: Denver’s Legal Resource Center
Our mission is to foster access to justice in civil legal matters and to increase lawyers’ volunteer participation through legal information and pro bono activities.
303-830-8210
Confidential Line: 720-639-4175
The Justice Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that makes self-help information, legal assistance and pro bono programs available to all people, regardless of means, ability or place of residence in Colorado. The Justice Center was created in April 2008 when the citizens of Denver passed a 5-year, .25 percent sales and use tax to fund the renovation and move of the Legal Resource Centers from the Denver District Courthouse main location to a beautiful historic church building 0.6 miles to the west.
The Mary Elizabeth Gallup Foundation
3054 W. 50th Ave.
Denver, Colorado, 80221
303-488-0997
Provides grants to Colorado nonprofit organizations for legal assistance and litigation programs for indigent persons.
Other Options to Legal Aid
While Douglas County Legal Aid is a valuable option for those who qualify, there are times when it may not be the best solution. For example, if you do not meet the income eligibility requirements, or if Douglas County Legal Aid is not able to help with your specific legal issue, there are other alternatives worth exploring.
Private Attorneys Offering Pro Bono Services
Some private attorneys in Douglas County may be willing to take on cases without charging. This is called pro bono work. Being allowed to waive their fees is great for you because you will not have to worry about expensive legal fees, but there is a potential downside to this arrangement. Because most private attorneys who do pro bono work have stricter qualifications for their pro bono services compared to legal aid programs, you may have a very hard time qualifying for such an arrangement.
Legal Clinics
A private legal clinic may be able to help you with a number of legal issues. These clinics usually specialize in specific areas of law and charge a small fee for their services , although they are far less expensive than hiring an attorney. However, it is important to understand that because they deal with many cases at the same time, they may not be able to provide you with the same level of personalized attention and may not become intimately familiar with the details of your particular situation.
Legal Help Online
There are tons of online legal resources and apps that aim to make providing and receiving legal help much easier. While online legal assistance can save time and money, you must be cautious. Always verify the credentials of anyone who provides you with legal assistance, even if they are suggested by a reputable organization. Legal advice from the internet is not a substitute for qualified legal counsel. In addition, many online resources may not be as up to date or comprehensive as you expect.