I took an informative course called "Legal Resources Training for Public Librarians." Many of the poor and indigent come to the public library looking for legal information. Often they expect us to know the answers to the legal questions they seek. As librarians, we cannot give legal advice, but we should be able to provide good resources. Please keep in mind that there is a misperception that the poor have access to free representation in court; this is only true in regards to criminal matters, not civil. It is our duty to help them as best we can.
With that in mind, here are some good online sources:
- Maryland Courts. mdcourts.gov. Best starting place.
- The Maryland People's Law Library. peoples-law.org. Think "Wikipedia" for Maryland law - but maintained by the Maryland State Law Library. Try the "Get Help" link.
- Google Scholar. scholar.google.com Best for finding cases nationwide and for legal articles.
- Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services. msba.org/public/lawyer-
referral.aspx For finding a lawyer. - Code of Maryland (aka Michie's) https://www.lexisnexis.com/
hottopics/mdcode/ In case you don't have it in print at your location. - Maryland Legal Aid. http://www.mdlab.org/ Private, non-profit law firm providing free legal services to low-income people statewide.
- Family Law Assistance. http://mdcourts.gov/family/
familylawassistance.html Fa mily Services Programs & Self-Help Centers
Morgan Stanton
Edmondson Avenue Branch
Edmondson Avenue Branch
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