Legal Aid Society of Orange County
 | |
| Founded | November 6, 1958 |
|---|---|
| Type | Legal Services |
| Location | |
Area served | Low-Income and Elderly |
| Product | Legal Services |
Key people | Iris Ma |
| Endowment | $8 million |
Employees | 100 |
Volunteers | 45 |
| Website |
www |
Legal Aid Society of Orange County of Orange County, California, United States, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to providing legal services to the poor and indigent in Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles. The mission of Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services in southeast Los Angeles County is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative self-help services, in-depth legal representation, economic development and community education.[1]
Background
The Legal Aid Society of Orange County was founded in 1958 by a group of local attorneys in Orange County.[2] It is primarily funded by federal grants from the Legal Services Corporation.[3] With its main office located in Santa Ana, California, the Legal Aid Society of Orange County also has smaller offices in Anaheim, California, Compton, California, and Norwalk, California.[4]
Services
The Legal Aid Society of Orange County has three tiers of services that it provides eligible clients. The first tier is evaluation, advice, and counsel.[5] This initial level of service is primarily provided through the intake center and Hotline.[6] The second tier of services are clinics and workshops, on topics such as eviction defense and other common problems affecting the poor.[7] The third and final level of service is direct representation, where Legal Aid Society of Orange County attorneys represent the indigent in court or other appropriate forums.[8]
The areas of law that Legal Aid Society of Orange County practices is diverse and is a reflection of the many legal needs of the poor. If eligible for services, the Legal Aid Society of Orange County assists in Family Law, Protection from Abuse, Consumer, Housing, Health, Taxes, Public Benefits, and some Employment issues.[9] The Legal Aid Society of Orange County does not handle criminal matters, and only refers these issues to the County Public Defender. Similarly, because it receives federal funds, the Legal Aid Society of Orange County generally does not handle immigration issues, except in limited cases of domestic violence.
Eligibility
Generally, the Legal Aid Society of Orange County's clients must be income-eligible, meaning they must fall at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty threshold.[10] Some programs, such as the Senior Citizens Legal Advocacy Program, assists residents over the age of 60 regardless of income.
References
- ↑ Legal Aid Society of Orange County Volunteer Opportunities. Accessed January 22, 2014.
- ↑ Milestones. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ 2013 LSC Office of Program Performance Report. Accessed February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Locations. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Services. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Services. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Services. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Services. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Legal Help. Accessed on February 9, 2015.
- ↑ Who We Help. Accessed on February 9, 2015.