On May 1, the Maryland Judiciary and the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance (MCLA), a subsidiary of Maryland Legal Aid, celebrated the opening of the Court Help Access & Information Center in Allegany County. The center began operations in February, offering video-access consultations to self-represented litigants. While located in the circuit court, it also assists those with District Court matters.
Administrative Judge Jeffery S. Getty of the Circuit Court for Allegany County remarked, “The new center gives the Circuit Court for Allegany County an opportunity to assist self-represented litigants with a variety of civil legal matters, including landlord-tenant, divorce, custody, small claims, expungement, consumer matters, and more.” He noted that despite being open for only two months, the center has positively impacted self-represented individuals navigating the court system.
Maryland residents can receive help at local court centers with civil legal issues such as family law matters like divorce and custody, child support and guardianship, expungement cases, consumer issues like debt collection and property return, domestic violence orders, peace orders, and foreclosure. Attorneys at these centers help individuals understand court documents and may assist with completing forms or preparing for court proceedings or mediation. Last year alone saw over 200,000 instances of service provided statewide by these centers.
Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland stated that “Court help centers are a flagship program of the Judiciary. They provide increased access to justice for the unrepresented.” He emphasized their importance in advancing fair and effective justice by ensuring those without counsel can effectively access courts.
District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey highlighted advancements since 2009 when local court help centers were first implemented: “We have leveraged technology and expanded the hours of service to better improve everyone’s access to justice.”
Tommy Fischer from MCLA expressed pride in expanding services in Allegany County: "We are here today to celebrate...the opportunity to celebrate the continued partnership...of the Maryland Judiciary [and] Maryland Legal Aid." Fischer credited partnerships as crucial for eliminating barriers to justice.
Located in the Annex building of Allegany County's Circuit Court, this new center is open Monday through Friday (excluding Tuesdays) from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., providing assistance to unrepresented litigants seeking legal aid.