Residents of Sherburne County looking for legal assistance have a valuable tool right at their fingertips - and it’s free.
The Sherburne County Law Library, located on the second floor of the Government Center, has lots of resources for people who need information for a wide variety of legal issues.
There are books and on-line sites that deal with probate, adoptions, child support, corporate law, media law, medicine law, product liability, power of attorney, creating wills, social security or divorce.
Many people who are faced with legal issues have no idea what their first step should be.
Elissa Bleess, law library manager at Sherburne County, says a visit to the law library can help.
“We can help them navigate through these issues, she says. “It’s very confusing and intimidating on their own.”
Bleess was hired as the law librarian about six months ago after John McCooley moved on to continue hosting a radio talk show about legal matters.
Bleess has a background in law as a paralegal and legal transcriptionist, and at Wright County Court Administration. She has also been a law librarian at Wright County for over two years.
Since she isn’t a lawyer, she can’t offer legal advice. But she can help people find what they need for whatever issue they’re facing.
“We have several resources on what to expect as a litigant in a family matter or in a court trial. Or what to expect in a hearing,” says Bleess. “We have access to all types of legal forms.”
She says many of the people who come in are looking for information about divorce. But it’s usually their first time and they don’t even know where to start.
Bless says there are some initial guidelines, like finding out if there are children involved or whether both parties are in agreement.
“Then I can point them in the direction for the correct forms, and I have them take a look at them to see if they have questions they didn’t know they were going to have.”
From there, people can meet with an attorney to move ahead with their case.
The law library also offers free legal assistance Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Anyone can schedule an appointment for a free 30-minute consultation session with an attorney.
There is also a free law clinic by Central Minnesota Legal Services, where people can meet with volunteer attorneys and get information on any number of legal issues.
The one time counseling session is to assist self-help patrons seeking directions and guidance in family law and associated matters.
The clinic is held the first and third Wednesdays of each month from noon until 1 p.m.
To schedule an appointment for the Wednesday clinic, or to meet with an attorney from Central Minnesota Law in Becker on Tuesday mornings (8 a.m. - noon) or an attorney from White and Associates in Elk River Thursday (noon - 4 p.m.) call Bleess at 763-229-3056.
Or, if anyone needs to find legal forms or do research, the library is open 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Bleess is available at the library Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Bleess says taking the time to do some research at the library can help people get started and ease their minds about the legal process.
“Most people are worried when they walk through the door,” she says. “But about 99% of the time, they leave a little bit more relaxed than when they came in.”
The library is also hosting a special free community legal education seminar in partnership with Central Minnesota Legal Services on April 28 from 4-5 p.m.
Attorney Rhonda Magnussen will give a presentation on navigating the legal system when getting a divorce. The presentation takes place in the commissioners board room.
