A Deep Dive into Legal Aid in DeKalb County
In DeKalb County, legal aid services offer critical support to low-income residents who are struggling with a wide range of civil legal issues. These public and nonprofit agencies serve as advocates for those who might otherwise find it impossible to navigate the court system without representation. By providing information, advice, and representation, legal aid groups play a vital role in promoting access to justice here in Dekalb.
Legal assistance works by providing persons from low-income households with affordable, or even free legal representation to address their concerns . This service is invaluable in a world where legal complexity often leaves vulnerable people with no choice but to proceed pro se or take their case into their own hands. Many of the cases handled by DeKalb County legal aid groups involve domestic disputes, housing disputes, and consumer issues.
Advocacy groups, law school clinics, and other legal aid organizations also provide education and services that benefit the community at large. For example, a few of the key programs offered through the DeKalb County Volunteer Lawyers Foundation include a divorce clinic, a housing preservation program, a domestic relations program, and the Georgia Senior Legal Aid Program.
Who is Eligible for Legal Aid?
Eligibility criteria for legal aid in DeKalb County is generally based on income. Typically, to be eligible for full legal aid services, you must meet the following criteria: household income at 200% or less of the federal Poverty Guidelines; reside in the service area; and have an identified legal issue which the legal aid provider is authorized to assist with, such as bankruptcy, divorce, and criminal defense. As noted above, there are some exceptions. For example, those over 60 are sometimes able to receive free legal aid even if their household income surpasses the 200% threshold, especially if the prospective aid recipient is facing a particularly difficult legal proceeding, such as child custody or a criminal charge.
Sometimes, rather than being a resident of the legal aid service area, you must live or work there. Legal aid organizations established to protect children and other vulnerable populations retain special criteria to monitor, investigate, and prosecute specific cases that relate to their mission. In these instances, the most important factor will usually be where you live or work.
The Different Types of Legal Aid Services Offered
Legal aid organizations in and around DeKalb County, Georgia provide a wide range of services to help low and moderate-income residents of the county address their legal challenges. Among the legal issues that these legal aid organizations help with are family law matters, housing issues, consumer protection, healthcare and disability rights, estate planning and probate, and employment law.
Family law is a major focus of legal aid organizations. These attorneys help clients deal with divorce, child custody, adoption, spousal and child support issues, and more. Their objective is to help people with modest means resolve family law disputes efficiently, effectively and amicably. Georgia’s legal aid organizations also provide legal assistance in the area of housing, help protect consumer rights, and support those in employment law disputes. Sometimes legal aid is vital for people in need of public benefits such as TANF, SNAP and medical assistance. It can make the difference in health care availability or access to federal and state disability benefits. Economic disadvantage, discrimination and home loan fraud are just a few of the hardships that compassionate legal aid professionals address and advocate for their clients.
Top Legal Aid Organizations in DeKalb County
DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Program
The DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Program, an initiative of the DeKalb Bar Association, functions as a private, non-profit organization. This program operates under the office of the DeKalb County Chief Circuit Judge and caters to eligible low-income individuals residing within DeKalb County. The program has been in place since 1994, making it a beacon for those seeking legal aid for their civil cases. Its primary goal is to aid the community by facilitating pro bono legal assistance from local attorneys to those in need.
(404) 373-3760
DeKalb County Courts Building
556 North McDonough St., Suite 3B
Decatur, GA 30030
Georgia Legal Services Program, DeKalb Office
The Georgia Legal Services Program’s DeKalb office is a part of a multi-county outreach that provides free civil legal aid to eligible low-income individuals. With the aim of ensuring equal justice and better opportunities for the state’s residents, GLSP serves the 155 rural counties and offers support in six of the state’s largest counties: Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Chatham, and Richmond. Since 1977, GLSP has been the leading provider of legal assistance for low-income Georgians, providing services in matters of family law, health care, housing, consumer, and education.
(404) 870-9096 or 1(800) 498-9469
DeKalb County Courthouse – Main Office
556 North McDonough St. #350
Decatur, GA 30030
Catholic Charities Atlanta
Catholic Charities Atlanta is an agency founded by the Archdiocese of Atlanta that provides immigration legal services, volunteer lawyers for veterans, and a domestic violence intervention program. They are committed to serving people based on need without regard to age, race, status, economic systems, sex, nationality, or faith. Their mission is to help build communities that thrive by doing the following: emphasize the dignity of the individual, address root causes of poverty, inspire volunteer service, promote social, economic, and human justice, support the inherently sacred nature of family life, and address with compassion special needs of the marginalized.
(404) 520-8700
Building 400, Suite 2500
762 West Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) was formed to meet the needs of the growing number of immigrants who require language access assistance in Georgia. Their services include: providing immediate assistance for individuals and families with Limited English Proficiency (LEP); serving as a conduit to connect immigrants with services such as ESL classes, citizenship classes, and interpretation at legal intake locations; coordinating and enhancing local services for immigrants who require language assistance; and advocating for policies and initiatives that strengthen local service systems for immigrants.
(404) 982-3324
GAIN
1201 Peachtree St NE, Suite 102
Atlanta, GA 30361
Troup & Jones
Troup & Jones is devoted to helping immigrants access the legal services they need. By fighting for the rights of Georgia’s immigrant communities, they continue to work for more open and just laws and provide guidance to those who need it. Troupe & Jones provides substantial client assistance through service, outreach, and education. The firm’s practice emphasizes family-based immigration, removal/immigration court representation, lawsuits against governmental agencies, asylum law and international adoptions.
(404) 343-1120
6000 Lake Forest Dr., NE
Atlanta, GA 30342
How Do You Get Legal Aid in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County residents seeking legal assistance can apply for free and reduced-cost services through the DeKalb Bar Foundation. This nongovernmental, nonprofit organization offers a variety of programs, including legal clinics, pro bono representation and public defender opportunities.
The Bar Foundation’s website states that clients should apply for legal assistance through the DeKalb Legal Aid System. The application is available online and can be filled out and submitted through the website. There is no cost to apply for legal aid in order to determine if you are eligible for the service. A DeKalb legal aid attorney will review your application and inform you if you qualify. You will not be asked to complete an application right away if you need immediate assistance, such as when a domestic violence situation is occurring. DeKalb Legal Aid does not handle criminal cases, and asks applicants to read the eligibility requirements carefully to determine if they qualify. When applying for legal aid in DeKalb County, you should be prepared to answer a basic series of questions: After you submit the form , you will receive an email containing additional instructions. If consumers qualify for legal assistance, the DeKalb Bar Foundation will then contact them to determine the best way to resolve the case. The response time for the online application may vary from within a few hours to a few days. For those who prefer in-person applications, DeKalb Legal Aid offers in-person interviews on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 1:00 p.m. You must have a picture ID when you apply. Applications are taken from those who are over 18 years old. If you are seeking help on behalf of a minor or to settle a problem for someone who is in prison, this person must also call or come to the office in order to apply. Documentation needed to apply for legal aid in DeKalb includes copies of all judgments and any legal documents related to the matter that we are handling, such as a deed, divorce decree, contract, etc. You should also bring your most up-to-date pay stubs and taxes, plus birth certificates, social security cards and records on income or disability for anyone in your household.
Common Issues and Limitations of Legal Aid
While the concept behind legal aid services is both noble and critically important, there are a number of limitations that hinder the amount of assistance that is available to residents in DeKalb County. The primary issue that each legal aid service faces is not availability but resource limitations – both in terms of cash flow and in terms of personnel. The demand for legal assistance far outweighs the cash flow necessary to meet these demands, as well as the number of professionals available. One of the most troubling aspects of these legal aid services is that they are unable to provide enough assistance to those who so desperately need it, and that they struggle to maintain case loads that allow their attorneys to support their clients to the fullest extent. Fortunately, this does not mean that nothing is being done about it. DeKalb County has a number of partnerships with local law schools to provide law students with valuable hands-on experience that allows them to assist legal aid services with their caseloads. Additionally, a number of programs have been implemented to funnel additional cash flow into the program. For instance, special events such as fashion shows and several local events have been held to raise money for legal aid services.
The Impact of Legal Aid in the Community
DeKalb County legal aid services create a better community because they help people, reduce crime, and save the taxpayer money. There is also a safety and health benefit associated with legal aid services compared to the alternatives. Many people attempt to represent themselves in family law issues without knowledge of the law and procedure. This can have devastating consequences and lead to extended litigation, missing court appearances and inner-city violence in domestic cases. DeKalb County legal aid services help low-income people avoid a degraded system when you cannot afford private representation. Many low-income people only need a few hours of legal assistance to settle a matter. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer to represent you in a small matter , the services of a legal aid representative may be the only option that prevents an unfairly one-sided judgment against you. The State of Georgia has a very high crime rate and much of the violent crime is domestic and drug-related. Without access to legal aid services, it is likely that many drug-induced and domestic crimes would go un-prosecuted. This would likely lead to greater economic burden on taxpayers created by direct costs associated with policing, prisons, courts and (in some cases) health care. The unintended consequences can last for many years. Providing legal aid services saves the DeKalb County taxpayer money through reducing the need for courts, police, and prevention programs.