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History
Civil legal aid – free legal assistance for low-income people
– began in the United States in the late 1870’s.
How does civil law differ from
criminal law? In civil cases, one party is trying to remedy a
problem, while in criminal matters, the government is prosecuting
someone accused of committing a crime.
The creation of civil legal aid gave and continues to give those
who could not or can not afford attorneys access to justice. Legal
aid agencies became common in the United States in the 1960’s.
It was at this time—1966—that Volusia County Legal Services,
later known as Central Florida Legal Services, began serving the
community from its Daytona Beach office. Eleven years later, Greater
Orlando Area Legal Services was founded. And in 1980, Withlacoochee
Area Legal Services opened its doors in Ocala to serve Marion County
and surrounding counties. These three entities merged in January
2004, now providing services to twelve Mid-Florida counties, covering
approximately 10,000 square miles. CLSMF offers civil legal advice,
assistance, and representation. We do not offer legal help in criminal,
personal injury, or traffic matters.
Who We Serve
CLSMF serves eligible clients in twelve counties: Brevard, Citrus,
Flagler, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole,
Sumter and Volusia. Please click here
for a listing of our office locations.
In order to obtain free assistance, you must be eligible for services
by meeting guidelines that are very similar to those of our state
agencies. These guidelines are based primarily on income, assets,
and household size. Your local office will be happy to speak with
you to determine if you are eligible for free services.
What We Do
CLSMF employs over 80 professionals dedicated to opening the doors
to justice for all. More than 30 attorneys have expertise in the
following areas of law: Consumer,
Education, Elder Law,
Family, Health,
Housing, Public Benefits,
and Taxes. These attorneys, in addition to
several paralegals, legal assistants, and victims’ advocates
provide advice, assistance, and representation.
CLSMF provides special services in various counties, including free
community education seminars, informational brochures, and pro-se
(self-help) materials. In addition, we offer a Reduced Fee Program
in Volusia County for those ineligible for our services but who
cannot afford private attorney fees. And we operate the Pro
Bono Program of Mid-Florida in all but two counties. This is
a program in which eligible clients are referred to private attorneys,
who donate their services.
Click here to link to our offices.
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© 2004 Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc. All rights reserved.
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