Volunteer Today to Help Ensure Access to Justice for VLJ Clients

Each year, 3 in 4 households with no- and low-incomes in the United States experience one or more civil legal issues. More than half of those households report that those legal issues significantly impact their lives—from their ability to remain (or become) financially stable, maintain good physical and mental health, and build healthy relationships. Moreover, these issues often disproportionately impact marginalized communities which make up the majority of those seeking help from VLJ; in 2022, 81% of VLJ clients identified as Asian, Black, Indigenous, or Latino/a/x, and a significant majority identified as women.

Exacerbating the gap in access to civil legal justice, according to the Legal Services Corporation’s The Justice Gap report, Americans with no- and low-incomes did not receive any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems. This is compounded by the fact that there is generally no constitutional right to an attorney in civil legal matters (in contrast with the constitutional right to counsel in criminal matters).

Every day, VLJ volunteers are working to combat these statistics. By taking a case with VLJ, you can help ensure New Jerseyans experiencing poverty have access to justice, one client at a time.

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Virtual Clinics - Limited-Scope Opportunities

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  • The following limited-scope clinic opportunities are currently virtual and utilizing the Zoom platform.

  • No prior experience is needed to volunteer, but all new volunteers must review VLJ’s substantive training materials before their first clinic.

  • Volunteer must make every attempt to volunteer for the full virtual clinic window. Partial coverage impedes VLJ's ability to provide timely services and ensure a good client experience. 


CONSUMER DEBT RELIEF

Volunteer attorneys provide limited scope assistance to pro se litigants with consumer debt defense issues, including but not limited to active suits in Special Civil (DC docket), return of security deposits, and bankruptcy assessments.
No prior experience needed; training available. Bilingual volunteers always needed.

Available opportunities:

  • Wednesday, 6/12/2024, 9:00am - 12pm EDT

  • Wednesday, 6/26/2024, 9:00am - 12pm EDT

To sign up, email jstephens@vljnj.org

divorce

Volunteer attorneys, with the help of non-attorneys, provide limited scope assistance to pro se litigants seeking to file or respond to a divorce complaint.
No prior experience needed; training available. Bilingual volunteers always needed.

Available opportunities:

expungement (record clearing)

Volunteer attorneys, with the help of non-attorneys, meet with clients to review their criminal record and determine if they are eligible to seek an expungement in NJ. Volunteers also help pro se litigants who are deemed eligible with preparing and filing their completed petition through the courts online expungement portal (e-courts).
No prior experience needed. New volunteers required to review VLJ training prior to volunteering.

Available opportunities:

  • Tuesday, 6/11/2024, 1 - 4pm EDT

  • Tuesday, 7/9/2024, 1 - 4pm EDT

  • Tuesday, 8/13/2024, 1 - 4pm EDT

To sign up, email krobinson@vljnj.org

VETERANS

Volunteer attorneys, with the help of non-attorneys, meet with veterans and military personnel to conduct a holistic legal intake to determine what issues are holding them back, provide advice, screen for merit, and determine crucial next steps for veterans to move forward with their legal issue(s).

No prior experience needed. New volunteers required to review VLJ training prior to volunteering.

To view upcoming virtual clinic dates and sign up, visit VLJ’s veterans clinic sign up page HERE.

JN20E-1000358

remote - expungement

Client is a 36-year-old Newark resident who seeks limited assistance with e-filing a pro se expungement. Her record is straight-forward with only one local ordinance violation that was paid in full in 2011. She also has one dismissal. A successful expungement will result in a clear record.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

RS22-0046353

remote - expungement

RS is a 41-year-old man seeking a Clean Slate expungement of a criminal record containing multiple indictable crime convictions. Record also contains 3rd degree controlled dangerous substance convictions that require a compelling circumstances argument under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(c)(3). Sentence completion will also need to be verified.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

DR23-0047943

remote - expungement

DR is a 31-year-old man seeking a Clean Slate expungement of a criminal record containing a controlled dangerous substances offense requiring a compelling circumstance argument under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(c)(3). In addition, the client will require an early pathway exception argument with respect to fine payment being completed in 2021.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

SC23-0048691

education - essex county (newark)

SC, parent of KJ, has received help from an advocate, but there is strong recommendation that student needs an ODD placement. In November 2023, CST staff admitted there was no staff member to provide the specialized reading program that an independent evaluation determined the student required (2022); and CST could not confirm someone would be hired.  While the student is struggling in a resource/ inclusion program, the CST admitted that a self-contained setting would not be appropriate because he could get a benefit from exposure to grade level curriculum (if properly supported). At the end of the meeting, board counsel stated the parent would have to file for due process in order to pursue an out of district placement.

To review, email yboto@vljnj.org

CJ23-0046579

expungement - remote

C.J. is a 61-year-old woman from Newark with more than one indictable crime conviction requiring a Clean Slate expungement. One of the convictions includes a 3rd degree Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and will need a compelling circumstances argument advanced. Before filing, eligibility will need to be conclusively determined by obtaining sentence completion information for each conviction and dispositions for charges that were remanded.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

DP24-0051287

expungement - remote

DP is a 64-year-old veteran in need of assistance with his expungement matter. DP’s record is over 20 years old and consists of one 2002 indicatable offense, one 2002 FO (restraining order) violation and two dismissals. Expungement would address the underlying Municipal/ Superior Court charges but would not affect the restraining order in place as restraining orders are considered Family court matters. DP is eager to clear his criminal record of these dated offenses from over 20 years ago.

To review, email abravo@vljnj.org

GH23-0048848

remote - expungement

Client seeks expungement of two 1980s matters, one of which has no clear disposition per Criminal Case History (CCH) report and disposition letter from court. Client believes it was dismissed. Due to age of matters, a paper filing is needed. Petition will also need to disclose out-of-state matters.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

TB23-0047571

estate planning - remote

Representation through drafting and execution of documents

Given TB's serious health concerns and disabled children, he would like assistance planning and being prepared for the future through estate planning, and possibly a special needs trust(s). Client resides in Newark.

To review, email donuschak@vljnj.org

ME23-0048317

expungement - remote

Full representation in petition preparation and filing

ME is a 57-year-old man seeking an expungement of a criminal record which consists of an indictable conviction, two disorderly persons convictions, and multiple dismissals. ME also has a juvenile record but it is unclear what charge ME was convicted of. A record request to determine eligibility and expungement of the juvenile record will be needed to obtain final disposition information. The final disposition information of the juvenile record will not preclude submission of an expungement petition for the client.

Additional important information: ME completed probation in July 2019 and as such will be eligible July 2024; and ME’s PCH report reflects additional offenses that are attributed to an alias but not listed on the CCH. ME advised the alias was in fact a co-defendant who’s information was erroneously listed as his alias.

To review, email abravo@vljnj.org

MH23-0048663

expungement - remote

Full representation in petition preparation and filing

MH is a 51-year-old veteran seeking a Clean Slate expungement of a criminal record containing three dismissals, one disorderly persons offense and three convictions for indictable offenses. The convictions are for controlled substances offenses and will require a compelling circumstance argument under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(c)(3).

To review, email abravo@vljnj.org

JG22E-1003578

expungement (remote)

Full representation

JG is a 49-year-old man seeking expungement. He has two drug offenses, one that is likely barred due to the degree and another that may require a compelling circumstances argument under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(c)(3).

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

AT23-0046844

remote - expungement

Representation in preparing and filing petition

AT is a 29-year-old man seeking expungement of an indictable crime and dismissals. He may qualify under the early pathways exception to the 5 year waiting period for an indictable crime. Case must demonstrate compelling circumstances as to why an expungement should be granted early.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

AC23-0046674

remote- expungement

Full representation

AC is a 39-year-old who appears eligible for a Clean Slate expungement. He has a 3rd degree conviction for controlled dangerous substance that may require he demonstrate "compelling circumstances" exist in order to receive expungement. He likewise needs sentence completion information confirming that he is timely for expungement.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

KF23-0047454

remote - bankruptcy

Advice re Chapter 13 bankruptcy; consult only

KF has about $17k in debt, however, most of it is not dischargeable. KF’s main concern is restoring her driver’s license, and while a VLJ staff attorney is assisting her to resolve outstanding issues with Municipal Court, she has over $10k in DMV charges. KF is seeking a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney to see if a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may help her situation and goal of restoring her license.

To review, email cobando@vljnj.org

MC22E-1005653

driver’s license restoration

Representation to restore license

MC is 24 year old resident of Newark’s South Ward, and a new mother. She’s trying to resolve outstanding municipal matters and restore her driver’s license, so that she can better provide for her child. She needs representation to reduce or vacate the fines for adjudicated traffic violations in three municipalities, and to resolve unadjudicated traffic violations in three municipalities. She also needs to pay the $100 restoration fee.

To review, email donuschak@vljnj.org