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Q. Is there a cost to receive legal
services from the Voluntary Legal Services Program?
A. No, if a client is eligible for services and
we are able to locate a volunteer attorney to take on the client’s
case, there is no fee for the legal services provided. Most of our
services are provided by volunteer attorneys, and VLSP screens potential
clients and serves as a referral agency to match the clients with
the volunteers.
Q: Who is eligible for VLSP client services?
A: VLSP is only permitted to help people who are
either citizens of the United States or
resident aliens. Clients must reside in one of the following counties:
Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, El Dorado and Placer Counties. On
a limited basis, telephone advice is also available on debt collection
matters for those residing in the (209) area code.
Clients must meet certain income requirements,
as VLSP’s mission is to serve low income people only. A client
can own his or her home and still be eligible for services. When
a client calls seeking services, we will ask the client some questions
to determine whether he or she is eligible for VLSP assistance.
All information is kept confidential.
Q: How can a client apply for services?
A: Our intakes are done primarily by telephone
and we do not have the staff to
accommodate walk-ins. Our Client Intake Number is (916) 551-2102.
Q. What types of cases does VLSP handle?
A. For detailed information about the types of
cases VLSP handles, please see our Client
Services section. Some of the most typical types of matters
we handle include debt collection defense, bankruptcy, personal
injury defense, employment/labor law, guardianships of minor children, probate, estate planning (wills, trusts
and durable powers of attorney), reinstatement of driver’s
licenses, expungement of misdemeanor criminal records.
Q. What types of cases does VLSP not handle?
A. With limited exceptions, VLSP does not take
any fee generating cases (such as a
plaintiff’s personal injury case). We also do not do any criminal
cases (except for the expungement of criminal records). We are unable
to assist prisoners. As we rely on the assistance of volunteers
to take cases, we are unable to take a case for which we cannot
locate a willing volunteer attorney.
Q. How do I become a volunteer?
A. VLSP has many volunteer opportunities for attorneys,
paralegals, students, interpreters, notaries, expert witnesses and
investigators. Please see our Volunteer
section and complete an on line application.
Q. Do you have internship opportunities
for law students?
A. Yes, we have internship opportunities,
which can either be for credit, or simply for
the experience of working in a unique law firm.
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