The Maryland Judiciary has inaugurated a new walk-in center to provide free legal assistance for civil cases in Baltimore. The Self-Help Resource Center, located at the Baltimore City District Court on East Fayette Street, offers limited legal help to residents who are representing themselves in court.
Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, Mary Ellen Barbera, praised the initiative, stating: “I commend the District Court for its efforts to expand the reach of our Self-Help Resource Centers to Baltimore. Achieving meaningful access to justice for people of all income levels is key to achieving the mission of the Judiciary, and the new Baltimore walk-in center is the latest example of the ongoing commitment to be responsive to the legal needs of people throughout the state.”
This facility marks Maryland Judiciary’s fourth such center, joining others in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Wicomico counties. Nearly 57,000 individuals have benefited from these centers so far. According to exit surveys, 96 percent of clients found these services helpful.
John P. Morrissey, Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, emphasized their dedication: “Baltimore’s new Self-Help Resource Center demonstrates the District Court’s commitment to improving and adapting services for self-represented litigants.”
Staffed by attorneys from Maryland Center for Legal Assistance LLC—a subsidiary of Maryland Legal Aid—the center operates during regular courthouse hours without requiring appointments. Wilhelm Joseph, Executive Director at Maryland Legal Aid stated: “The Baltimore City District Court Self-Help Resource Center is yet another dependable and trustworthy resource where Baltimore City residents can find high-quality legal assistance and gain knowledge.”
The judiciary also provides remote self-help services via phone and live chat available Monday through Friday. To date, over 166,000 people have received remote assistance.
For further details on these resources or other related inquiries visit their website.