The Maryland Judiciary has inaugurated a new walk-in center in Salisbury to provide free legal assistance for civil cases on the Eastern Shore. The Self-Help Resource Center, located at the Wicomico County District Court, offers limited legal help without requiring appointments.
Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, Mary Ellen Barbera, stated that "the Eastern Shore’s new walk-in center is our most recent example of the Judiciary’s work, statewide, to advance access to justice." She emphasized that these centers are designed to offer substantive legal resources to people of all income levels and are part of the Judiciary's strategic plan to serve Maryland residents.
This newly opened facility marks the third such center by the Maryland Judiciary. The first was launched in Anne Arundel County in December 2009, followed by another in Prince George’s County in April 2015. Collectively, these centers have served nearly 45,000 individuals seeking legal guidance. Exit surveys indicate high satisfaction rates with 96 percent of clients expressing strong agreement on the helpfulness of services received.
John P. Morrissey, Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, noted that "the District Court is dedicated to improving and adapting services as part of the Judiciary’s overall mission." He highlighted that Self-Help Centers equip individuals with knowledge about legal processes and terminology relevant to their cases.
Staffed by two attorneys from Maryland Legal Aid under contract with the Judiciary, this new walk-in center operates during regular courthouse hours from Monday through Friday. It is a component of a broader network providing self-help resources including remote services via phone and live chat available until 8 p.m., excluding court holidays.
The remote services extend free advice on various civil matters handled by both District and Circuit Courts such as landlord/tenant issues, debt collection, family law matters like divorce and custody among others. Since inception, approximately 115,000 individuals have benefited from these remote self-help services.
For further details about these services or other related information, individuals can visit the Judiciary's self-help website.