News Item

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Judicial Branch Self-Help Center offering services on Anoka Technical College Campus

Posted: Wednesday, February 6, 2019

The Tenth Judicial District Self-Help Center is taking its craft outside the Anoka County courthouse in 2019. The first Wednesday in February, March, April, September, October, and November, Self-Help Center staff will be on the Anoka Technical College campus to aid students, teachers, and any community member with legal matters. Self-Help Centers offer helpful information, services, and resources to self-represented litigants.
 
“Our goal is to offer services to Minnesotans who need them, wherever they may be,” said Anoka County Judge Bethany Fountain Lindberg. “We recognize that courthouses can be intimidating places, so getting on campus and interacting with the community is an important part of our commitment to assist self-represented litigants.”
 
This effort is a partnership with the Anoka Technical College Foundation and the Tenth Judicial District Self-Help Center. During the spring semester, Self-Help Center staff will offer assistance in the high-traffic campus cafeteria. Self-represented litigants will be able to have one-on-one conversations with Self-Help Center staff. Some of the most frequent topics Self-Help Center staff assist litigants with include landlord/tenant, expungement, conciliation court, and family law issues such as divorce, custody, child support, and parenting time.
 
“There is a clear and growing need for Self-Help Center services in the Tenth Judicial District,” said Washington County Judge Sheridan Hawley. “Last year alone, the Tenth Judicial District Self-Help Center assisted self-represented litigants in 6,519 matters. Offering assistance on campus will allow the Center to reach and aid even more members of our community.”
 
“Legal issues can be a barrier to students attaining their educational goals at Anoka Technical College,” said Executive Director of Professional & Workforce Training and Foundations Jamie Barthel. “We are pleased to partner with the Tenth Judicial District Self-Help Center to make sure the Anoka Tech community has access to services that can help address legal needs.” 
 

Self-Help Center services at Anoka Technical College: 
Wednesday, February 6    
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cafeteria

Wednesday, March 6
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cafeteria

Wednesday,  April 3
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cafeteria

Wednesday, September 4
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Library

Wednesday, October 2    
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Library

Wednesday, November 6
10 a.m.-1 p.m.    
Library

The eight county locations that make up the Tenth Judicial District Self-Help Center assisted self-represented litigants with 6,519 matters in 2018. While Self-Help Center staff cannot provide legal advice, staff can be a guide for legal information such as tools to help Minnesotans complete court forms, court process or procedure, and preparing for court. There are many resources to assist self-represented litigants in Minnesota, including Help Topics on the Judicial Branch website, step-by-step videos, and phone, email, and walk-in support.