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.

ML25-0083693

ssi benefits - phone consult

ML is a 39-year-old single mother of three in Newark's South Ward. ML seeks a consultation regarding her 10-year-old son's social security. She received notice that she needs to create a dedicated account to receive back pay for the benefits approved this year. ML also has questions about what his benefits can be used for (i.e., restricted to therapy, everyday needs, etc.).

To review, email donuschak@vljnj.org

RT24-49978

expungement - remote

RT is a 73-year-old man seeking an expungement of a criminal record containing a controlled dangerous substances offense from the early 1980s, requiring a compelling circumstances argument under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(c)(3). Due to the age of the offense, the expungement petition will require a paper filing.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

JC24-68152

expungement - remote

JC is a 42 year old man seeking a Clean Slate expungement. He has more than one indictable crime that includes a 3rd degree CDS charge that will require a "compelling circumstances" argument. His fine for that conviction was paid just under 10 years ago so he will likewise need a "substantial compliance or unable to do so for compelling reasons" argument. Additionally, he has a disorderly persons conviction, local ordinance violations, dismissals and a juvenile record to include in the expungement.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

CC24-48922

expungement - remote

CC is a 49-year-old man seeking Clean Slate expungement of a criminal record containing several indictable controlled dangerous substance offenses, disorderly persons and series of dismissals. The petition will require a compelling circumstances argument to be made under 2C:52-2(c)(3). This case will also involve crafting a narrative about the client's several attempts to obtain all final disposition information from the court and being unsuccessful.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

ST24-0048998

special education - remote (essex county)

SC has been diagnosed with several medical conditions since birth, including sickle cell disease, and while evaluations indicate the need for special education, his IEP was terminated. Now 18, SC remains in school because he is academically behind. SC’s mother, ST, is a single parent in Newark who has been struggling to advocate for her son in the Newark school district for years. ST needs assistance appealing his IEP denial and help determining his rights to transition planning.

To review, email donuschak@vljnj.org

DV24-0065509

special EDUCATION - remote (ESSEX COUNTY)

Review the latest IEP and evaluations before providing parent with an advisory consult. If it is advisable that the parent should file for due process, let VLJ know availability to assist the parent beyond consult.

LF, currently 15 years old, was identified as having a learning disability in elementary school but was only evaluated over the last two years (neuro, speech, psych). Parent DV is seeking a consult to determine if it is appropriate to ask for ODD given LF's needs for a reading/dyslexia program; the latest IEP was issued in June 2024.

To review, email donuschak@vljnj.org

AM23-004314

expungement - remote

A.M. is a 51-year-old Newark resident seeking a Clean Slate expungement of a criminal record containing more than one indictable crime conviction, including a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) conviction that requires a compelling circumstances argument under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(c)(3). He has several dismissals to expunge as well.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

CG24-0056236

EXPUNGEMENT - remote

C.G. is a 44-year-old Pennsylvania resident who needs assistance with clearing his NJ criminal record. He will need a Clean Slate petition with compelling circumstances argument advanced due to Controlled Dangerous Substance convictions. He likewise will need sentence completion verified for each conviction.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

LM22-0046344

EXPUNGEMENT - REMOTE

L.M. needs limited scope assistance with obtaining two expungement orders from 2022 that were likely for automatic dismissals.

He also needs help distinguishing what is accurate on his Party Court History (PCH) report due to having 2 State Bureau of Identification (SBI) numbers. If necessary, he should get a Criminal Case History (CCH) report instead.

Lastly, for each conviction, he needs documentation that sentence was complete including fine payment.

Overall, it appears he needs a Clean Slate expungement with compelling circumstances due to a 3rd degree Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) conviction, but for now, seeking to ensure he's eligible and has all the necessary documents to proceed.

To review, email krobinson@vljnj.org

RS22-0046353

expungement - remote

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