The Maryland Judiciary is set to open its second free walk-in legal clinic for individuals needing assistance with civil cases in District Court. The new facility, located in Prince George's County, will commence operations following a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, February 23, at the District Court Self-Help Resource Center.
The center aims to assist residents of Prince George’s, Montgomery, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties by providing access to legal help without prior appointments. "Because services are already popular in Prince George’s County, we expect there will be an immediate and high demand at this new walk-in center," stated Chief Judge John P. Morrissey of the District Court of Maryland.
Maryland's first walk-in Self-Help Resource Center was established in Glen Burnie in December 2009. Over time, services expanded to include online and telephone support. By 2014, these centers had seen significant growth in usage from their inception.
The Upper Marlboro location is staffed by three attorneys from Maryland Legal Aid, a non-profit organization offering free civil legal services statewide. It features a kiosk for sign-ins and operates during regular courthouse hours from Monday through Friday.
Chief Judge John P. Morrissey will inaugurate the center alongside brief remarks from Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera.
The media is invited to attend the opening event at the Prince George’s County Courthouse on Main Street in Upper Marlboro.