Legal help can be found at the Carlsbad Public Library
Currently I am serving on Jury Duty. This is the third time I have been summoned to serve. I have been chosen for a few cases. Just this week I was called to report. The process is fascinating. There are so many parts that make the system work. But sometimes they can be confusing. That is why it takes school, testing, and qualifications to become a lawyer. They work hard and earn good money. But this can mean that not everyone can hire a lawyer when then need one. Did you know the library can help you with resources a legal case, jury duty, and other needs?
The library does not have any lawyers on staff so we are not able to help you fill out forms or guide you with the forms you need. But we have access to many resources that can help you. We have a whole resource guide for legal help services in the state that can help. Many have lawyers on staff that can help at a free or reduced rate. We can also get you the information for the Supreme Court Law Library in Santa Fe. They have a librarian on staff that is also a lawyer.
Do you have a case that you know the forms you need? We have access to the Court website and can get you the paperwork. It will only cost ten cents per page. We have divorce packets ready to go for anyone needing them. As well as rental agreements. We have a wide variety of forms for your needs.
We also subscribe to Gale LegalForms. Gale allows you to take the law into your own hands and create accurate, reliable legal documents with no hassle. It offers New Mexico specific “attorney forms”- officially approved forms actually used by law firms. Many of the forms and documents are available in word and adobe format so you just need to simply fill in the blanks. All of this can be access from anywhere. All you need are a computer, internet, and your library card.
Did you know that all of the jury qualification/questionnaire is online? This could make the process more complicated. Stop by the library to use one of our database computers. You will get extra time to fill out the needed documents to get you ready to serve.
We have the New Mexico State Statues and Court Rules. This is an official legal research tool of the New Mexico courts and legislature. You can search and retrieve annotated statutes and court rules, appellate court opinions, court forms, and more. We can also help you access the City of Carlsbad Code of Ordinances. So you are up to date with all the ordinances that apply to us here locally.
We have many books that can help. We have a law dictionary that will help you understand commonly used terms to help you understand a contract, agreement, or case paperwork. Do you own a business and have hired a problem employee and you do not know legally how to handle it? Try “Dealing with problem employees: a legal guide” by Amy Delpo. This is just one title of many. We have many books covering a wide range of legal matters. While, we are not lawyers and can never advise or defend you in court or help you fill out your paperwork we can help you access resources and agencies within the state that can.
Sarah Jones is the Carlsbad Public Library executive director. Sarah can be reached by phone 575-885-6776 or by email at sejones@cityofcarlsbadnm.com. Visit the Carlsbad Public Library website at https://cityofcarlsbadnm.com/departments/carlsbad-public-library/.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Legal help can be found at the Carlsbad Public Library
