Attorney Seeks To Establish Low-Cost Legal Help Program

Although $60 an hour may not seem like a huge bargain, compared to $200 and up, a buck a minute might appear reasonable for an attorney’s time.

West Pasco lawyer is trying to organize a program to offer Pasco County residents a relative bargain for legal advice. It's patterned after a similar system in Pinellas County.

In Pinellas, people needing simple legal advice can book an attorney’s time in 15-minute increments for $15 or $60 an hour.

That may be enough to walk a person through a simple legal situation or to find out if they need to hire an attorney.

The program isn’t for complex or criminal cases, Simons said. It’s for the type of case people are more likely to encounter in their lives, such as small claims or landlord and tenant disputes or family law.

The idea isn’t new.

Pinellas County, which is in the Sixth Judicial Circuit along with Pasco County, operates the low-cost legal program called the Community Law Program. It is patterned after one in Palm Beach County.

It started in 2007 and also helps people with computer access and forms to file their own lawsuits.

“People really do need the help but they can’t afford thousands of dollars,” said Simons, who writes the column for Patch.

The effort needs the backing of the county clerk of the circuit court and the West Pasco Bar Association, he said.

Both are awaiting a business plan from Simons before moving ahead.

The clerk’s office is willing to explore the idea.

“A lot of people just don’t know what they should do," said Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller Paula O’Neil. "The court system can be very complicated and scary. In 15 minutes, they will know if they need an attorney.” 

Her office would provide the space for attorneys and the clients to meet and handle other staff needs.

“We’re the gateway,” O’Neil said.

Simons said the Bar Association will be leaned on to help provide attorneys to staff the program, many of whom would be working at bargain rates compared to what they normally charge.

The program is not intended to steal clients from private attorneys, O’Neil said.

“We don’t want attorneys to think we’re trying to take their business,” she said.

If after the session someone needs an attorney, the referral would go through the local Bar Association. Attorneys can’t use the program as a way to get clients, Simons said.

People would reserve time in 15-minute blocks. In Pinellas County, two attorneys are available to meet people at two locations in Clearwater. Each is paid $200 a day through the fees.

People can use the Pinellas clerk’s site to schedule appointments and pay by credit card. Sessions are available up to an hour.

The attorneys would not represent someone in court or file legal documents for the client.

The types of cases include alimony, child support, divorce, evictions, name changes, tenant rights, and collecting a small claims judgment.

The payments would have to cover employee expenses for the clerk’s office, but access is not based on financial need, Simons said.

The program would not be funded by tax money, he said.

“It would have to pay for itself,” he said.

Simons said one reason he’s taking on spearheading the program in Pasco is to help people get access to the legal system.

“I don’t believe an attorney is just a mercenary,” he said.