An Introduction to Delaware County Legal Services
Delaware County residents have access to a wide variety of legal services to assist them with their diverse legal needs. The biggest provider of legal services in the county is the Delaware County Bar Association, which offers several programs including the Pro Bono and Diversionary Services Program, a fee-generating Lawyer Referral Program and a free Legal Answer Site. Supplemental services offered by the Delaware County Bar Association include a Senior Law Project and a Limited Scope Representation Program. These services complement the many other legal services that assist Delaware County residents, including those provided by neighborhood legal clinics and those available through several law firms representing an extensive range of legal disciplines.
For Delaware County residents seeking assistance with personal matters, the Delaware County Courts provides a range of services, including a Domestic Relations Center and a Family Court Self Help Center on the Media Court House campus. The Office of Child Support Enforcement provides assistance with respect to child support human services. Making the transition from a marriage to a divorce can be a tumultuous time. The Delaware County Divorce Counseling Project is designed to assist residents with educational counseling to help them and their children during a divorce. Some of these legal services take advantage of technology for maximum impact, especially the Courts’ Custody Conciliation Program . Since a child custody dispute is a very sensitive issue, some services are offered on a less formal basis than others. The Courts provide Child Custody Mediators to assist parents in resolving custody issues. The Divorce Counseling Project provides a legal seminar and individual counseling should that mediation not be effective.
Residents turning to the Courts for assistance rather than to a private entity were served with efficient and high quality services in years past at the original Delaware County Courthouse in Chester. Today, the population of the county has moved substantially to suburban communities and the 1676 courthouse is no longer practical. The construction of the $203 million Delaware County Justice Center at 201 West Front Street in Media, completed in 2011, was designed to make judicial services accessible to everyone. Naturally, legal services offered by private sector providers are generally more expensive than those in the public sector, but sometimes a residents’ income level disqualifies them for public services. As a result, many local clinics provide low-cost or free legal services to those who qualify. These clinics include Neighborhood Legal Services of Delaware County, District Justice Jan-Alan Palermo, and the Asian Human Services Council. Many of these services have specific practice areas such as family law, the elderly, minorities and others. Services may be limited to specific geographic areas as well as to specific practice areas.
Selecting the Right Delaware County Legal Service Provider
Choosing the Right Legal Service Provider in Delaware County
With multiple options for legal counsel in Delaware County, PA, selecting a law firm can present a challenge. The right law firm can save you thousands of dollars by offering affordable legal rates while providing assistance that is backed by a team of Delaware County lawyers and legal professionals. Choosing the right legal services provider makes all the difference in successfully navigating the legal system in Delaware County.
When it comes to choosing the right service provider, you’ll want to ask the following questions:
What are your first impressions of the law firm?
Your initial consultations with a law firm can tell you a lot about the quality of its services. The first question to your lawyer should be, "What advice would you give me if you were my lawyer?" Then, pay attention to how your attorney responds. If the response doesn’t satisfy your questions or otherwise impress you, keep looking. You can also look at online reviews, which can tell you more about the credibility of a law firm.
What are the firm’s practice areas and level of experience?
Don’t waste your time with a law firm that doesn’t have experience in your specific practice area. You could be putting your case at risk by hiring an attorney or a law firm without adequate credentials. Find our what the law firm specializes in and how long they’ve been practicing family, criminal, business or real estate law.
What do former clients say about the firm?
Former and current clients can tell you a lot about their own experience, the service offered and the overall results. Evaluate each law firm’s reviews and testimonials to gather more information about its reputation and general competency.
Do you have reasonable legal fees and rates and are they transparent?
Not all law firms have reasonable legal fees and rates. Keep reading to learn more about the costs associated with hiring legal counsel, but for now, know that you are under no obligation to move forward with a firm with unreasonable legal fees.
Pro Bono and Reduced-Cost Legal Services in Delaware County
While Delaware County provides various kinds of legal services, it’s important to know about pro bono and low-cost options if you’re seeking legal help. These programs and services are aimed at helping those in need, of course, but also help relieve pressure on the county, which provides a valuable social service in this regard.
Pro bono means "for the public good," and many of the county’s lawyers provide pro bono support for their fellow Delaware Countians when they need it most. In fact, there are numerous ways a lawyer might commit a portion of his or her time to pro bono legal work, including:
This list is not a complete or accurate list of the ways Delaware County attorneys offer pro bono assistance, just some of the general categories of service.
For those who are really in need, organizations and government agencies step in to provide help. The Delaware County Bar Association runs the Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS), which refers clients to an attorney who may be able to meet directly with you. Note: there might be a small fee associated with the LRIS, but there will be no fees associated with the meeting with the attorney.
The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey also offers a free, statewide legal advice and referrals helpline, with no restrictions regarding income level. Though the program does not offer representation, they do have a pro-bono program partner – Community Legal Services – that can determine eligibility for representation (the attorney must take on the case without charging for their services, or at least not for more than 15 hours).
Other programs exist to address specific areas of law or clients. For example, Veterans Assistance Project, which assists veterans with their VA benefits cases.
Also, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has a Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) that helps customers of gas, electric, water and sewage utilities with billing inquiries and dispute resolution. BCS is available by phone 24/7.
These programs can help if you cannot afford the services you need, so know that there are options before trying to confront a legal matter on your own or attempting to take on an attorney who will not necessarily empathize with your situation.
A Guide to the Courts in Delaware County
The Delaware County Court System consists of several courts, each with its own unique structure, jurisdiction, and legal processes. It is broken down into three general categories: family court, civil court, and criminal court. Although some of the courts are more specialized, you will often need to interact with them all over time.
Child Support, Youth Aid Panel, Protection From Abuse (PFA) hearings, child custody hearings, divorce, or a contested divorce, all fall under the family court category. The family court handles most matters about children and divorce.
The civil court in Delaware County mostly deals with matters regarding real estate, contract disputes, small claims, personal injury, employment, property assessment appeals, trespass, fraud, and/or unjust enrichment. It also handles matters pertaining to eminent domain and forfeiture and condemnation. All civil court matters are tried before a jury.
The criminal court in Delaware County handles misdemeanors, felonies, traffic tickets, juvenile criminal matters, and some appeals. The crime and severity of the crime dictate which court hears the matter. Criminal matters may include misdemeanor crimes such as theft, assault, defamation, or harassment, and felony crimes such as arson, bribery, conspiracy, homicide, and witness tampering.
Juvenile delinquency issues fit into the criminal court system. Juvenile matters involve minors who have been accused of crimes—basically, a minor who commits a crime in the eyes of the law. Juvenile issues will also typically be tried outside the regular court system. Instead, it will go through the delinquency system, where the goal is to rehabilitate the minor.
Legal Challenges Common to Residents of Delaware County
Like other communities across Pennsylvania, Delaware County residents may find themselves involved in various legal issues. Understanding these issues can be essential for residents seeking resolution. The following are some common disputes and disputes of law that occur in Delaware County:
Tenant-Landlord Disputes
Possibly the most common civil case arising in Delaware County Courts is that of the landlord-tenant (or renter) dispute. This involves either a renter not complying with the lease agreement or a landlord not complying with state and local housing codes. Most often, instances of this include non-payment of rent, property damage, or violations of other lease terms (such as number of tenants, noise restrictions, etc.).
Additionally, an issue may also arise between the landlord and tenant where the eviction process is attempted through the courts. This scenario is covered under Pennsylvania’s Landlord-Tenant Act and must be navigated carefully – for both landlord and tenant. Failure to properly follow the legal process may result in the landlord losing the right to evict , and the tenant being able to claim damages against the landlord.
Traffic Violations
With a variety of roads (including 476, 95 and the Baltimore Pike), it is not surprising that traffic violations are another of the most common civil cases in the Delaware County Court system. This may include everything from non-payment of fines to driving under the influence (DUI). Traffic Violation issues should not be neglected, as an experienced Delaware County DUI Lawyer can navigate the court system to obtain the best possible outcome.
Workers Compensation Claims
If you are injured on the job and are filing for workers compensation, delays and denials are frequent. They can be extremely frustrating and may cost you thousands. Each year, the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Appeals Board hears many cases where injured workers attempt to navigate the complex system. Many people believe they should file their own claim. Don’t be fooled. Consult with an experienced Delaware County Work Comp Lawyer for the peace of mind you deserve.
How to Prepare for a Meeting with a Lawyer
When preparing for a legal consultation, it is essential to have all necessary documents at hand. For instance, if you are seeking a divorce, gather marriage certificates, prenuptial agreements, and any relevant financial records regarding joint bank accounts and joint purchases. If you want to change your child’s name, compile the child’s birth certificate and any other legal documents pertaining to their identity. You may also want to bring along documentation such as Social Security cards, W-2 forms, and additional identification documents. The next step is to familiarize yourself with the common terms used in the legal system. This can include consultation with sources such as Black’s Law Dictionary or other books and resources providing concise explanations of basic legal principles and terminology. Having a general understanding of the terminology ensures that you are able to take in what the legal practitioner explains to you more easily. Lastly, be focused when it comes to your questions. Try to narrow down your concerns to only the most relevant ones, and remember that the initial consultation is part of the process of being represented. Having an understanding of the overall system will likely help you while being guided through the initial meeting.
Staying Informed: Delaware County Legal News
In an era where information is abundant yet discerning fact from fiction is crucial, staying informed about legal matters in Delaware County (or any community) is of paramount importance. Being aware of local legislation changes, legal resources, or even community-driven legal workshops can vastly enhance a resident’s ability to navigate their legal challenges effectively.
For Delaware County residents, there are several platforms through which reliable legal news can be accessed. The official Delaware County Government website is a good starting point, as it offers press releases, updates on legislative matters, and information on county services. Additionally, organizations like the Delaware County Bar Association frequently publish newsletters or blogs that delve into both general and county-specific legal topics .
Social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter, are increasingly used by government and legal organizations to share news and updates. Many local law firms, legal aid organizations, and even the courts maintain a strong presence online. Searching for and following relevant Twitter handles can be a simple but effective way to keep up with the Delaware County legal landscape.
Moreover, subscribing to local newspapers, either in print or online, is another effective way to stay informed. While not always as immediate as other platforms, conventional media outlets continue to play a significant role in reporting legal issues and cases that matter to the community.
Ultimately, it’s crucial for residents to leverage multiple sources of information. Combining the instant updates of social media with the in-depth analyses of newsletters and newspapers provides a comprehensive understanding of legal developments within Delaware County.