May 8, 2024 by Ashley Norris
Lone Star Legal Aid Introduces Courthouse Kiosks to Support Access to Justice in Rural Counties
Topic
Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Waco, Texas – In a move to bridge the gap in legal aid accessibility, Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, installing three cutting-edge kiosks in courthouses across its rural service area. These easy-to-use kiosks aim to simplify legal assistance by providing a direct pathway for low-income individuals to access applications.
The strategic placement of these kiosks underscores LSLA’s commitment to ensuring that legal help is not just a privilege but a right for all. With functionalities tailored to aid people in understanding their rights, navigating legal procedures, accessing necessary forms and documents, and applying for free legal assistance, these kiosks invite a new era of inclusivity in legal support. As this application is trackable, LSLA can discern when individuals utilize the kiosks for submission, enabling them to measure the reach and impact of this initiative.
Lone Star Legal Aid’s Rise to Recovery Initiative, which offers judgment-free legal help to individuals and families coping with the opioid crisis, spearheaded efforts to install kiosks with the support of the District Attorney and District Clerk’s Offices of McLennan and Hardin counties.
“We installed this kiosk at the county courthouse to ensure that everyone, especially those affected by opioid use, has direct access to legal services provided by Lone Star Legal Aid,” said Lindsay Eustace, Supervising Attorney of Program-Wide Units at Lone Star Legal Aid. “The kiosk includes an iPad with a form to provide contact information. Our goal is to meet people where they are and make it easier for them to seek the help they need. By simplifying the process of connecting with legal aid, we hope to support individuals facing challenges related to opioid use and empower them to navigate legal issues effectively.”
On the kiosk installation outside his office, McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens shares that, “[his] office is excited to support Lone Star Legal Aid in their efforts to make justice more accessible to our community. Providing access to affordable legal help is vital to ensuring our system is fair, and by partnering with organizations like Lone Star Legal Aid we can continue to educate and help those who need it most in our county.”
“Providing access to legal services is fundamental to protecting marginalized and vulnerable populations who often face barriers to accessing justice due to financial constraints, language barriers and lack of legal knowledge,” said paralegal Denise R. Anderson. “By offering a convenient and discreet way to apply for services, we are ensuring individuals and families can assert their legal rights and seek legal recourse, regardless of socio-economic status. Our kiosks provide a new and efficient way to streamline the application process, reducing the time and effort required to submit forms. With digital application kiosks conveniently located at our public courthouse, individuals can quickly input their information and submit it electronically, eliminating the need for handwritten forms while simultaneously offering safe space to maintain privacy when seeking out assistance.”
“We are excited and grateful that the Assistant District Attorney and County Judge in Hopkins County agreed to partner with Lone Star Legal Aid regarding setting up kiosks at the courthouse to help members of the community easily apply for legal assistance through our organization,” said paralegal Tania Murphy. “Upon meeting with them and their IT specialist, we determined that the best place to set the kiosk was right outside the courtroom door. The location provides potential clients with a convenient way to apply for services online and reduces stress for those who are in need of legal help but may have barriers limiting their ability to call or come by the local office.”
Where to Find Them
McLennan County
- Both kiosks are situated within the McLennan County Courthouse at 501 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701, housed in the annex building towards the rear of the courthouse.
- The first kiosk is stationed at the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office on the 4th floor of the annex building, immediately to the right upon exiting the elevator.
- The second kiosk can be found at the McLennan County District Clerk’s Office on the 3rd floor of the annex building, adjacent to the public records search computers, positioned outside the entrance door to the Civil Division side of the McLennan County District Clerk.
Hardin County
- One kiosk is located within the Hardin County Courthouse at 300 W Monroe St, Kountze, TX 77625, housed outside the district courtroom door.
To inquire about a kiosk at your courthouse, please contact:
Clarissa Ayala, Communications Director, Lone Star Legal Aid, cayala@lonestarlegal.org
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. LSLA focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety, stability, health, and wellbeing; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, the aging, survivors of crime and disasters, the unemployed and underemployed, the unhoused, those with limited English language skills, and the LGBTQIA+ community. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
