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By Ruth A. Wilson
Clerk of Courts
By law, we, in the Clerk of Courts Office, are not permitted to provide legal advice or referrals even though we are regularly asked to do so. We want to be as helpful as possible to our patrons and constituents so we make a great effort to provide regular information on where legal assistance can be found.
Following are five free opportunities and resources:
Ask A Lawyer Day, April 13
The event will be held 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green Street, Conyers. Topics: Family, Wills & Estates, Bankruptcy / Consumer, Landlord Tenant and more. For more information: 404-894-7707
Family Law Information Center
The Family Law Information Center offers free one-time, 30-minute consultations each Friday, 9:30 a.m. to noon, by appointment only. No criminal matters are addressed. All applicants are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and are seen on a first-come, first-served basis by signing in with the deputy clerk in Room 204. Consultations are provided by licensed volunteer attorneys in the Rockdale County Courthouse Law Library. The attorneys will provide general information, guidance and assistance. Appointments may be scheduled by calling the Clerk of Courts Civil Division at 770-278-7905. Missed appointments without 24 hours prior notice will not be rescheduled.
Nancy Guinn Memorial Library
864 Green St., Conyers: Patrons have access to an extensive up-to-date collection of legal books and the Westlaw Next legal database including Official Code of Georgia Annotated (all laws of the state), Black’s Law Dictionary, Practice & Procedure. The Westlaw Next database includes access to: Case law and legal forms, state and federal statutes, administrative codes, newspaper and magazine articles, etc.
Legal Self-Help Links
Atlanta Legal Aid
www.atlantalegalaid.org
Basic Rules of Court Conduct www.georgiacourts.org/content/basic-rules-court-conduct
Cornell Legal Information Institute
www.law.cornell.edu/states
Everybody’s Legal Glossary www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/internetresources/everybodys-legal-glossary-nolo
FindLaw – www.findlaw.com
FindLaw en Español – blogs.findlaw.com/insider/2009/10/new-findlaw-en-espanol-launched-for-spanish-speaking-consumers-seeking-legal-information.html
Georgia Legal Aid –
www.georgialegalaid.org
Georgia Probate information www.georgiaprobaterecords.com
gaprobate.gov. All of the standard probate forms are available on this website
Georgia State University Law Library
lawlibrary.gsu.edu
“I Present My Case”
(video for pro se litigants)
www.fairplay.org/about/I-present-my-case.html Requires Adobe Flash Player
Introduction to Basic Legal Citation
www.law.cornell.edu/citation
Learn about your Georgia courts
www.georgiacourts.gov/georgia-courts/learn-about-the-courts
Lectric Law Library
www.lectlaw.com
Nolo
www.nolo.com
Representing yourself – Dougherty County, GA links
www.dougherty.ga.us/content/2889/3011/3528/default.aspx
Record Restriction Forum, June 9
Arrest record cleanup: 9 a.m. to noon, Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive SE, Conyers. May be eligible for record restriction if:
• Arrested in Rockdale County by Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Conyers Police Department or Georgia State Patrol
• Arrest not resulting in a conviction (PLEAS, JURY TRIALS, OR NOLOS)
• Pre-Trial Intervention/Diversion Program Completed
Why Restrict?
• Improve Housing Opportunities
• Improve Job Opportunities
• Improve Financial Access Opportunities
Must apply in advance. Applications available April 16 at RockdaleClerk.com.
1 Comment
I have to say that this is one of the most innovative approaches I have ever seen
come out of our Court Systems. I did not agree with Mrs. Wilsons support for the
foolish tax crushing $140 million Bond Tax increase, she is 100 percent on target and beyond and above her priors with this program. Just because you have been
accused, thus arrested, then then dropped with out the D.A pressing charges you
still have a quote record. NOT FAIR, I wish to thank Mrs. Wilson and D.A Johnson
for such program that corrects the legal and moral injustice to those that should
not carry a charge forever. THANK YOU… I only hope that they would consider
continuing the program as a regular thing. It would not cost the county hardly
anything, yet as they state could change peoples lives forever.
Thank you both and with all due respect, this this one of the most best programs
of any kind I have ever seen come out of govt. Full disclosure. I have filed for
the same. I was accused of battery , my attorneys said don’t say anything while
all I wanted to do was yell to the top of my lungs that I was assaulted and all I
did was defend myself.
Rockdale Citizen happy to print me turning my self in but when charges were droped
they refused to print anything. The accuser admitted I did not strike first and
he had a anger problem…. Yet It still shows me as being arrested… WHY should
that be?
This is only one example of many people that have been done wrong by falsely accused. I encourage any and all to take advantage to the good judgment and
good will of D.A. Johnson and Clerk of Courts Mrs. Wilson. Two true public Gems.
Respectfully,
Garvin Haynes