Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is known for serving community members with various civil matters, which includes assisting with domestic violence injunctions, housing issues and consumer related matters. Those are just a few areas covered by JALA, with the support of staff attorneys, pro bono attorneys and other volunteers.
Although the organization’s name includes Jacksonville within the title, JALA serves 17 counties in Northeast Florida.
As a way to ensure that JALA is meeting needs outside of Duval County, efforts are made to connect with community members and attorneys in other areas.
On June 27, JALA hosted a Seal and Expungement Fair at the Solomon Calhoun Center in St. Johns County. This collaboration brought together members of the St. Johns Clerk of Courts, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, several private attorneys and other community volunteers.
Assisting community members to seal or expunge a criminal case can have a residual impact on individuals, families and the community at large. One’s criminal history can be a barrier to gaining or maintaining employment, having access to housing and furthering educational opportunities.
Helping people with removing arrests or charges from public view creates a better environment for all of us. Access to self-sufficiency and other economic development opportunities decreases feelings of helplessness and promotes empowerment. There is an overall benefit to all.
The Seal and Expungement Fair was only a few hours and required only a couple of additional hours to complete the process.
There will be a Seal and Expungement Fair in Clay County on Aug. 21 and another in Duval County on Oct. 3. You are welcome to join us. Bring a colleague to make it a more full experience.
If you can’t make those dates, it’s OK. Be encouraged to look at your calendar to see where you can spend four to five hours per month on pro bono activities. This is an average of one hour per week.
That’s a lunch break, a phone call or maybe a scroll on social media.
Time can be spent at a monthly clinic talking about bankruptcy options, family law matters or landlord- tenant concerns.
There are also ask-a-lawyer opportunities where you can address substantive matters within your own area of expertise.
Need a training to feel more confident? That’s available too. There are weekday opportunities as well as evening opportunities. You may even find a Saturday morning option. Whether you prefer in person or virtual meetings, there is a spot for you. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone.
Visit https://www.jaxlegalaid.org/pro-bono/ to get involved.