Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Celebrates 2021 Legislative Accomplishments
Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Budget Highlighting Strong Support for Florida’s 1.5 Million Veterans, Their Families, and Survivors TALLAHASSEE – Thanks to a
CDC eviction moratorium ends June 30: Here’s where to get help
Right now hundreds of people are facing eviction in Duval County. According to the Duval County Clerk of Courts Office, more than 450 evictions were filed in May, which is down from 940 in January. An estimated one in five renters are behind on payments. If you are being faced with an eviction lawsuit, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid has an online tool to help you create a legal response.
Homegrown attorney Stephen Pitel leads JALA’s medical-legal partnership
A Jacksonville native, Stephen Pitel went to law school in Vermont knowing he wanted to practice public interest law, so when he found an opportunity to work at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid in 2015, he took it. “I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough,” Stephen said. After serving as director of JALA’s Fair Housing Unit, Stephen became director of the Northeast Florida Medical-Legal Partnership (NFMLP) in 2019.
Florida Supreme Court Considers Rule Placing New Restrictions On Legal Aid Funding
If you are accused of a crime, you are entitled to a lawyer, even if you can’t afford one. But in civil cases, — things like evictions, foreclosures, or wrongful denial of government assistance — there is no guarantee of an attorney. These cases can be nearly impossible to navigate without representation, leaving many low-income people at a disadvantage. So in many places, legal aid organizations provide free legal representation to low-income people in civil cases. A new rule under consideration by the Florida Supreme Court would limit the way that legal aid groups can use certain funding, effectively curtailing the ability of legal aid firms to innovate and prepare for the future, according to opponents of the proposal.
Answers to 3 commonly asked questions about tenants’ legal rights
News4Jax phones were ringing off the hook Thursday morning when they offered viewers a chance to receive free legal advice from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid lawyers who were at News4Jax to answer questions about a tenant’s legal rights. News4Jax partnered with JALA to offer the phone bank after the I-TEAM investigation Rodent Residential uncovered a mice infestation at the Hilltop Village Apartments. Here are the answers to the three most commonly asked questions:
How to apply for Jacksonville’s COVID-19 mortgage relief program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After announcing a program that opened for applications Monday to help with rent and utility assistance for those in need because of COVID-19, the city of Jacksonville just opened a similar program for mortgage assistance.
Don’t neglect yourself during these times of tension
The past year has been wrought with ups and downs. We are impacted by the global health pandemic and by racial tensions. We have challenges with the economy. We have much political tension. We have been mentally and emotionally taxed on various fronts. We have experienced losses. Death of family members and loved ones. Decrease in clients. Changes in operations at home and at work. Managing the emotions of our children. Lots of overwhelm. People are resilient and we keep going no matter what comes against us.
You can lose your kids, home and freedom without ever seeing a lawyer. It’s a profound injustice.
You can lose your kids, home and freedom without ever seeing a lawyer. It’s a profound injustice. Opinion by the Washington Post
Jacksonville attorney Carrington Mead recognized for volunteer work
Jacksonville attorney Carrington “Rusty” Madison Mead will receive the 2021 Pro Bono Award for the 4th Judicial Circuit from the state Supreme Court at a Jan. 28 ceremony in Tallahassee. He was nominated for the award by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association and the state Guardian ad Litem Office.
Eviction Protections During the COVID-19 Crisis
The information provided below (PDF document) is not a substitute for legal advice. The laws described here may change without notice. Last