The Definitive Guide to Legal Aid in Hagerstown MD

What is Legal Aid

Legal aid is a resource that can have a significant impact on the lives of Hagerstown, MD residents. Through legal aid, individuals can obtain assistance for important legal matters that they may be unable to complete on their own. The goal of legal aid is to ensure that all individuals, no matter how low their income, may have access to legal counsel to help them with various concerns.
Legal aid may come in many forms. In most cases, individuals qualify for legal aid by demonstrating that they cannot afford to pay for legal services on their own. Legal aid services may be free, and in some cases, they may be offered at a reduced cost.
There are several reasons why individuals may need legal aid . Those who are going through an immigration process, divorce, bankruptcy or other serious life events can benefit from the services of legal aid. It can mean the difference between successful representation in front of a judge, and a worse outcome for your case than you might otherwise receive.
Legal aid can represent you and identify your needs for representation, whether that be legal services or referrals to qualified attorneys. More than a million people every year are helped by legal aid throughout the U.S., and while not everyone will qualify, those that do find that legal aid makes a considerable difference in the quality and outcome of their legal case.

Who Qualifies for Legal Aid

In general, legal aid organizations utilize several criteria to determine eligibility, as it is simply not feasible to have an unlimited number of attorneys on staff or an infinite amount of other resources. While the criteria may vary slightly by organization or type of organization, here are some examples of eligibility requirements:
Income limits: In most cases, the income limits have to meet a qualifying level of below 125 or 150 percent of the federal poverty level. This is generally the standard threshold. In 2019, that level for one person was $15,750 for 125 percent and $18,975 for 150 percent.
Type of case: Some organizations take cases only in specific practice areas—for example, Medicaid applications—or are unable to take cases involving criminal defense. They are often more likely to take cases if your income is low.
Priority of case: Even when a case qualifies under all other thresholds, the organization may still not have the time and resources to take it on. That generally means they will take on cases in an order based on their priority or need—meaning they’ll take on cases involving domestic violence before elder abuse, for example.
Other special circumstances: Age, gender, ability and military status may also help your case be accepted. For example, Virginia Legal Aid will accept cases for veterans or current active service members with issues involving child custody, protection from abuse, access to health care, predatory business practices, guardianship and advance medical directives.

Services Provided by Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations in Hagerstown, MD provide a range of services to assist low-income residents of Washington County and the surrounding area. Their goal is to help clients address their legal needs effectively and efficiently through education, counsel, and representation as needed.
Family law is one of the most common issues legal aid organizations in Hagerstown handle. They assist clients with document review and preparation for matters involving divorce, child support, alimony, and custody, among other areas. Legal aid staff also help prepare clients for court appearance and steps they can take during the case itself to ensure a more effective outcome. Specific advice may be provided for other issues such as visitation, enforcement of existing court orders, paternity, and name changes.
Organization staff assess eligibility for services as early as possible. Individuals who need assistance for family and other legal issues begin the process through screening interviews. Initial interviews are done either in person or over the phone. Staff will determine a person’s immediate need and household circumstances based on information provided and will schedule follow-up appointments. They may offer same-day appointments, especially in emergencies. When possible, they make every effort to help clients the same day when they arrive at an office seeking help.
Critically important to the process is the ability for legal aid professionals to refer individuals to other organizations in the area that offer legal assistance. Faith-based social service organizations may also have resources for Hagerstown residents.

Applying for Legal Aid

In Hagerstown, MD, applying for legal aid is a straightforward process designed to make legal support available to those in need. This section details how to apply, with an emphasis on the necessary information and documentation.
To determine if you are eligible for legal aid, you can apply at designated legal aid organizations, at or through local courts, or by obtaining legal aid through a government program. The Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) web page features an interactive eligibility tool to help you understand your eligibility for specific services. If you are attempting to apply for civil legal aid, it may be worth noting that there is a standard income eligibility guideline for all civil legal aid offices.
Applying in person is a good option if you’re unsure whether you qualify for assistance or would prefer to discuss the details of your situation with an experienced volunteer attorney. If you have already received help from the organization you are applying to, you may not need to reapply for assistance. In some cases, your previous file may be reviewed. If you aren’t sure whether you qualify, check the eligibility guidelines on our site or ask the organization representative for assistance.
Each case is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. After you apply, you will be asked to undergo a legal screening workout, during which a professional will help you determine your options. After the interview, they will advise you regarding the merits of your case, and any next steps.
Please note that some organizations may require a nominal application fee.

Local Sources of Legal Aid

Local Legal Aid Organizations in Hagerstown, MD
In Washington County, MD, there are several organizations available to provide legal aid service to residents in Hagerstown, MD and nearby areas. These organizations specialize in a wide range of services, from providing general legal advice to representing individuals in court to overall legal support services.
The following details key organizations that are local to Hagerstown, MD:
Washington County Legal Aid Office
The Washington County Legal Aid Office is located at 33 N Potomac St Suite 234, Hagerstown, MD 21740. It is reachable by phone at 301-393-8870. The organization provides free meetings with attorneys for legal advice, it also holds weekly clinics to assist with uncontested divorce and bankruptcy. Both of these services are by registration only.
Washington County Division of Court Assistance
The DCA is available via phone at 240-313-2824, or online at http://www.washco-md.net/dca.html for further details on their array of services. They are located at 28 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD 21740. The WCDCA provides self-represented litigants the assistance they need to participate in court without an attorney.
Lawyer Referral Service
The Lawyer referral service is provided by the Maryland State Bar Association , who can be reached on (410) 689-6100. The service allows individuals to get a free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer who can help them determine their situation and what legal action may be necessary. The consultation and referral is free of charge.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service serves those 60 and over with free civil legal services, and in certain circumstances, low-income children, individuals, and families. The MVLS field offices are located throughout the state; however, there are no offices in Washington County. The MVLS office located the closest to Hagerstown is Montgomery County, accessible via phone at (202) 761-8059.
Other Local Support Agencies
Hagerstown also benefits from several local support groups and agencies to assist in various situations. Though they don’t provide direct legal services, they may be able to help residents of Hagerstown by offering legal assistance through scrapbooking services, advocacy, among other things.
The United Way of Washington County – 7 N. Potomac St., Suite 230, Hagerstown, MD (301) 739-8200
The Mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good.
The Maryland Department of Human Services – 113 N. Mulberry St., Hagerstown, MD 21740 – (301) 791-3205
The Maryland Department of Human Services offers a wide-range of services, including support services through Home-and-Community Based Waivers.

Legal Aid Alternatives

If you do not qualify for legal aid, or have an urgent legal matter that needs an immediate response, other alternatives exist. Among these options are pro bono legal services, legal aid clinics, and online options that can help you with your legal need.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Free legal assistance from an attorney with the State bar association is called pro bono legal services. Even if your issue is not an emergency, you may need urgent legal help, and the legal aid office you contact may refer you to an attorney who would be able to assist you with your case for free. All Maryland attorneys must provide at least 3.5 hours of pro bono legal services each year. Pro bono attorneys must also complete 30 hours of continuing legal education related to pro bono work every three years.
Legal Aid Clinics
If the legal questions you have are limited in scope and complexity, consider attending a legal clinic. Legal clinics take place about once a month through legal aid and local law schools to educate the public about legal issues. Attendees bring a short list of questions or one legal issue on a piece of paper, along with any relevant legal documents. Participants then share their questions with a volunteer attorney who provides them with free legal advice and guidance about their next steps. You should check ahead of time if they are taking attendees or have any special requirements for participation, such as signing up in advance or bringing a government-issued photo ID. Because private attorneys donate their time, legal clinics are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Online and Remote Resources
If you can’t make it into an office, remote legal resources exist to help you with your legal question. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service allows you to request an immediate callback from a volunteer attorney who’s on-call or schedule a call from an attorney at a convenient time. They provide legal services in business law, criminal law, debtor and creditor law, family law, guardianship law, health law, housing law, tax law, traffic law, veterans law, wills law, and student loan law. Be prepared to identify yourself and provide a brief description of your legal issue when you request a callback.
Similar services are offered by the Maryland State Bar Association. Their attorney of the day program connects you with volunteer attorneys, who will call you back within 30 minutes to an hour, on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any legal questions can be asked of the volunteer, who can also serve as an access point to legal organizations and social services that can help you solve your legal problem. Additionally, some law schools offer remote or online legal consultations for Maryland residents: University of Baltimore School of Law’s Volunteer Lawyering Project and Maryland Carey Law’s Online Legal Consultation Clinic.

Legal Aid Success Stories

The impact of legal aid services on the Hagerstown community has been profound. As a grassroots organization, Maryland Legal Aid relies on the support of local residents and community organizations to thrive. Thanks to the financial and in-kind support of individuals, organizations and foundations from Hagerstown and Washington County, legal aid can continue to fight for the rights of the most vulnerable in the community. The work of the United Way is valuable to individuals in and around Hagerstown, and to the work of Maryland Legal Aid as well. The support of the United Way and the funding they provide enables legal aid to extend their reach and better help more people across the state with their important legal matters. A few stories help illustrate the impact of legal aid in the local community. One woman found herself unable to access the housing benefits she was entitled to because she was having difficulty getting through to the right agency for assistance. The local staff at Maryland Legal Aid helped this woman gain access to the resources she needed to improve her situation . The staff intervened on her behalf and helped her get the medical assistance she deserved, as she suffered from a chronic illness.
Another family in need experienced the importance of legal aid as well. A father was deprived of unsupervised visitation with his children because of the allegations that he was abusive in the past. While he denied the abuse and sought to receive supervised visits with his children, he was unable to afford an attorney to help represent him in court. When he turned to Maryland Legal Aid, the agency investigated the veracity of the claims against him and initiated a legal response, which eventually resulted in the restoration of his visitation rights.
These are just two success stories among countless others that demonstrate the importance of legal aid in helping individuals and families around Hagerstown and beyond. When financial means prove to be an obstacle to accessing the legal services people need, legal aid is there to provide the support necessary.