Despite most in-person services being shut down during Phase III of Amarillo College's COVID response plan, most services offered to students have continued, although remotely. The Student Legal Clinic is no exception. Since
January, the clinic has assisted with 50 cases, 15 of those coming since the college had to shut down most in-person interaction in mid-March.
Robin Malone, Coordinator of the AC Paralegal Studies Program, says that in spite of current circumstances, the Legal Clinic is here to help. They continue to connect with students via Zoom or Google Meet, and are still available to assist students with legal questions, concerns, and creating and understanding legal paperwork.
The main work of the clinic is to assist students with the drafting or revision of legal documents, as well as advising students on a number of legal matters and issues. While the legal team does assist with drafting documents, they do not accompany anyone to court. If a student needs an attorney, they will be referred to a local attorney who can help. The Legal Clinic can help students with any legal situation; however, these are the most common areas they see: Family Law, Landlord/Tenant Issues, Probate, and Civil Law.
Family Law
Many of the cases that the Legal Clinic helps students with fall within this area. This includes assisting with pro se divorces, interpreting custody orders, and even help with adoptions. Regardless of what kind of help a student needs, whether it’s help with drafting documents, understanding divorce decrees or parental rights regarding custody, or even venting about their current situation, the legal team is available to listen and assist as needed.
Tenant/Landlord Law
If a student rents an apartment, house, or other unit, they have certain rights (as does any tenant), and the landlord has specific responsibilities governed by local, state, and federal law. With the impact of the pandemic came a number of Executive Orders which further protected the rights of tenants, including being able to delay rent payments without fearing eviction in certain circumstances. However, these orders can be confusing. Who and what is protected and for how long? The legal team can help answer those questions, as well as answer other questions regarding rental agreements and what options or legal recourse is available.
Probate Law
The team at the legal clinic also provides assistance in the area of probate. This includes the creation and revision of wills, as well as assistance with transfer of property should a loved one pass away. In a recent survey done by AARP, 60% of adults do not have a will. Stressing the importance of wills, Malone asserts that having a will helps your wishes to be carried out after your passing, as well as eases the burden on a grieving family.
Civil Law
Civil law includes a number of things, such as contractual agreements, title loans, and what Robin refers to as “predatory lending.” Predatory lending refers to any lending practice that seeks to impose unfair or abusive practices on the borrower. Students may want to explore getting out of a title loan, have questions about an outrageous cable bill and their rights, or be the victim of a predatory lender. The staff can answer questions about what rights a student has and also the possibility of getting out of a contract, or not, depending on the situation.
Upcoming Workshops
In addition to one-on-one counseling, the legal clinic is scheduling some upcoming workshops with local attorneys. Topics will be relevant to students as well as employees, and staff and faculty are welcome to join, too. Check your email for announcements and dates, projected to start within the next thirty days.
All services of the clinic are free of charge, and any enrolled student is welcome to use this resource. Conversations with clients (including emails) are considered confidential, and even all emails are protected, via a service the clinic uses that protects information by requiring a password when emails are exchanged.
The clinic is staffed by Robin Malone; David Kemp, a local attorney; and one paralegal, April Mock. Currently, most appointments are done virtually; although, the staff is willing and able to meet in person when warranted. Once classes begin in the Fall, the hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is needed during these times. Students are welcome to come in at any time during open hours. There are also Friday hours available by appointment only. The clinic is located on the Washington Street campus on the 3rd floor of Byrd, Room 322.
Students may reach the clinic right now by either the Google Voice number at (809) 557-0039 or the main office number (806) 345-5670 and leave a voicemail (which is still being checked regularly) or they can be contacted via email at aclegalclinic@actx.edu.
