Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (VLS), in partnership with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, provides two free legal advice and intake clinics each week. The clinic is designed to help low-income folks with their civil legal problems. Advice is given only on civil, not criminal, matters.

The clinics are held every Monday and Wednesday night (except on holidays or during school breaks) at two different local middle schools. The Monday night clinic is held at Martin Middle School (1601 Haskell Street). The Wednesday night clinic is held at Webb Middle School (601 East Saint Johns Avenue). Child care, Spanish translation, security, and free parking are provided.

VLS recommends that you arrive between 6-7 p.m. It's important that you come during this time window as no one is allowed to enter the school before 6 p.m. (for security reasons) and anyone arriving after 7 p.m. will be asked to come back to another clinic.

When you arrive you'll be divided into one of two groups—those needing help with family law matters and those needing help with any other non-criminal matter. You will be asked to fill out a basic form asking for more information about you and your case. This form will be reviewed by the attorney before you start talking with him or her. Be prepared to give a short overview of your problem.

As hundreds of people come to the clinics each week, the attorneys can often only spend 10-15 minutes with each person. The attorney who talks with you is agreeing only to give you advice and is not going to represent you in your case. Folks who are financially eligible may also be eligible to apply for free legal services from Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at the clinics, although due to limited legal resources there is no guarantee that an attorney will take the case.

Be sure to check out the VLS Web site, at www.vlsoct.org, for more information on the free legal clinics and the other great services it provides.