Do you need legal advice? Saturday is your chance to ask a lawyer for free counsel.
The Young Lawyers Division is sponsoring the Ask-a-Lawyer call-in program, where New Mexicans can receive legal information and referrals.
Phone lines will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lawyers standing by to answer questions.
YLD coordinator Martha Chicoski said the State Bar of New Mexico has hosted the program for at least five years.
The event is scheduled in recognition of National Law Day, Chicoski said. President Eisenhower proclaimed Law Day would be every May 1, starting in 1958, she said.
Community member Lee Siedlecki said New Mexicans could use programs like Ask-a-Lawyer on a regular basis.
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"There are not enough resources for people to turn to if they cannot afford to hire a lawyer," he said.
Community member Tony Brasher said the call-in program is a good idea because people often have a simple question that they shouldn't have to pay to get answered.
"I think this would be great for landlord-tenant issues where a simple yes or no is all people need," he said.
Siedlecki said he has had legal questions about business or domestic issues several times and would have used the service.
"For people that do not have an extensive understanding of the law, I think it is definitely useful," he said.
Chicoski said the purpose of the Ask-a-Lawyer program is to inform New Mexicans of their rights. Lawyers will suggest possible legal remedies and actions for each caller. If the issue cannot be resolved during the call, lawyers will direct callers to professionals who can help.
"It provides a relief to people as to what to do and where to go for help," Chicoski said.
Diane Alpert, a lawyer volunteering at the event, said the service is useful to New Mexicans.
"I know this will be helpful to the community because people ask me about things that are happening to them all the time," she said.
Alpert is a patent attorney and helps people obtain copyrights and trademarks.
"If people have written a book, or written a song and want to know how to copyright it, I can tell them how to do that online," she said.
Community member Prema Thomas said she has questions about how the legal system pertains to animals. She wants to know what consequences children could face for throwing rocks at ducks in the pond, and she has questions about leash laws.
Chicoski said the Ask-a-Lawyer service has an added benefit: anonymity. Callers will not need to provide personal information to receive answers to their questions.
"The entire thing is anonymous. We do not ask for names or get into details about the parties involved," she said.
Ask-a-Lawyer
Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Albuquerque: 505-797-6000
Statewide: 1-800-876-6227
