Thanks to a new $10 increase in civil filing fees instituted by the Toledo Municipal Court and the Toledo City Council low-income residents in Toledo now find it easier to get free legal assistance. The new increase helps generate additional funds for Project CLAS (Civil Legal Assistance Project). Sponsored by Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO), Project CLAS began providing services from the Toledo Municipal Court in October 2005. At the same time the CLAS Project was provided office space within the court for two full time attorneys and a full time paralegal/intake specialist. Cases are referred to CLAS by the Court and the Clerk's Office, through walk-ins and through Legal Aid Line, LAWO's intake and referral system. Applications are processed in the CLAS office saving potential clients the need to make a phone call or another visit. Because of the number of cases coming into the project the cases are screened for merit in deciding whether to provide on-going representation. All persons, however, at a minimum receive advice from an attorney. The CLAS services are not available in small claims court filings or criminal cases.
Contact Information:
Mary Ellen Heben Legal Aid of Western Ohio 520 Madison Avenue Suite 640 Toledo, Ohio 43604-1371 Phone: (419) 724-0030 Fax: (419) 321-1582 Email
LSC:
America's Partner for Equal Justice 