NDSU STUDENTS - PRIVATE LEGAL ASSISTANCE

The Office of the General Counsel at NDSU represents the University and University employees in matters relating to their employment responsibilities, and associated organizations, but does not give private legal advice to students. For that, students need to seek their own private legal services. Often, students are concerned about where they can and should go for this assistance.

Legal information can be divided into three broad categories;

(1) general background information;
(2) specific legal advice from an attorney; and
(3) representation in specific legal matters, such as court proceedings.

Sometimes, students just need general background information which can be provided from certain informational materials, such as in the landlord/tenant area. However, this information is often not specific enough or can be outdated and students should be careful when relying on such information. Following is a listing of some commonly used numbers, websites and references for information and for legal services to assist students at NDSU. This office makes no recommendation or warranty as to the services or information provided, but is providing this information to NDSU students as a student service.

_________________________________________________

• North Dakota Apartment Association - will send you a Landlord/Tenant Rights booklet. (287-6300) To view the Landlord/Tenant Rights booklet visit www.ndaa.net

• North Dakota - State Bar Association of North Dakota
  800-932-8880 or www.sband.org/lawreferral
• Minnesota 800-292-4152 or www.mnfindalawyer.com

These services will provide information about lawyers in your geographical area and in the topic of the legal concern for you to contact individually. Compensation arrangements with the lawyer are your responsibility, but sometimes lawyers have agreed to take certain kinds of cases on a reduced fee basis.

_________________________________________________

Legal Aid Services

Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND)

• To access services call 1-800-634-5263, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
  
• Persons 60 and over call 1-866-621-9886, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  
• To access services at any time you can use the internet. Go to www.legalassist.org and click on the red star and type in the information
  
• LSND - Fargo - Same Day Emergency only 232-4495
  
• People requesting services must meet the eligibility requirements to receive services.
  

Government Benefits such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Familyies (TANF), Food Stamps, General Assistance or SSI (disability) and unemployment compensation.

Family Law primarily covers divorce, custody, and protection orders for victims of domestic violence.

Housing includes private tenant problems and public housing.

Consumer Matters particularly debt/bill collection, garnishment repossessions as well as some contract matters.

Health related problems including medicaid, medical, individual rights, primarily for health care and financial durable power of attorneys, and guardianships.

Other includes Indian law, VITA, and advise on small claims.

Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota

• Persons with Minnesota legal problems can contact (LSNM) 218-233-8585 or 1-800-450-8585
  
• You can apply for legal help in person at the LSNM office or by phone. A Spanish bilingual translator is available. Call our offices Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. We are also open for walk-in service from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  
• www.lsnmlaw.org

Services provided by LSNM include:

Problems with welfare benefits (including Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), food stamps, General Assistance, disability benefits)

Evictions, landlord/tenant problems, and unsafe housing

Family law matters (including divorce, custody, visitation problems or domestic violence)

Consumer problems

Health Law (including Medical Assistance and access to health care)

Special Education

Other serious civil legal problems

Traffic violations or criminal cases are not taken.

_________________________________________________

The Yellow Pages in the phone directory has attorneys listed by categories of the type of legal area. Many attorneys do not have their names listed under these various categories, so this is only a partial listing. If you use this method to seek legal services, it is very helpful to try to find out something about the general reputation of the attorney listed. Friends, neighbors, acquaintances, etc., may have used that attorney for legal services before.

Attorneys will sometimes do an initial consultation at no charge to determine whether or not you have a legal problem and whether they can and will represent you. Ask questions about costs for the initial service and fees. If you decide to hire an attorney, you have a right to have the scope of your representation and its costs put in writing. Most attorneys will have a simple retainer contract or will put the terms of the representation in a letter to you. Don't be shy about asking about the costs of the services and related charges.

 
  _________________________________________________

Small Claims Court

• Clerk's Office 241-5645

Students can handle their own case in small claims court. Small claims court has jurisdiction in cases that do not exceed $5,000. Information packets cost $5.00 and can be picked up at the Cass County Courthouse or the clerk will mail the packet for an additional postage charge.

The forms are also on the web at www.court.state.nd.us/court/forms/small/forms.htm. Be sure to print all the forms, read the information carefully, and have three copies of each form ready for the clerk when you file your complaint. There is a $10.00 filing fee to file a complaint in Small Claims Court. The North Dakota Attorney General has a helpful brochure on Small Claims Court at www.ag.state.nd.us/brochures/smallclaim.pdf.

_________________________________________________

There are also numerous legal related books on the market and information on the internet. Students should be cautious in relying on this information as it may not be specific to their particular problem.

_________________________________________________

Additional Resources

State of North Dakota: http://discovernd.com/

North Dakota Supreme Court: www.court.state.nd.us

ND Attorney General: www.ag.state.nd.us

Federal Trade Commission--Consumer Info: www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm

North Dakota Century Code: www.legis.nd.gov/information/statutes/cent-code.html

Code of Federal Regulations: www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr

Federal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

United States Code: http.uscode.house.gov

Cornell Law Library: www.law.cornell.edu

Department of Education: www.ed.gov

FINDLAW: www.findlaw.com

City of Fargo: http://ci.fargo.nd.us

Fargo Police: www.ci.fargo.nd.us/Police

Prepared by Rick Johnson, 10/04.