Resource Wednesday: Expungement in South Carolina

Every now and again, I need a reminder to share information.

Earlier today, I received a request from someone desperately trying to find out where to find help for an expungement. And, the resource is below:

• Your Guide to Expungement in South Carolina (updated in November 2013). This fabulous, free resource was pulled together by the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families. It can be found online at http://www.scfathersandfamilies.com/public/files/docs/Nov2013UpdatedGuide.pdf. It basically walks folks through expungement (Step 4) while letting them know whether expungement is a possibility (Step 3) and, if so, which one to go for.

If you want additional information on expungement and pardons, below are also some helpful links:

• The South Carolina Courts Expungements and Pardons FAQ www.sccourts.org/selfHelp/FAQExpungementPardon.pdf
• The South Carolina Bar Expungements and Pardons FAQwww.scbar.org/PublicServices/ExpungementandPardons.aspx

To find legal help or a lawyer:

• South Carolina Legal Services, Toll Free: 888-346-5592, Phone: 803-744-9430, Fax: 803-744-9450, www.sclegal.org
• The South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral System, 800-868-2284, www.scbar.org/publicservices/findalawyer.aspx

 

To find more information on the legal system in South Carolina

•  The South Carolina Judicial Department,  www.sccourts.org
• Law Help for South Carolina, www.lawhelp.org/SC

To get a copy of your criminal record

• South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Records Department, Post Office Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221, 803-896-1443, www.sled.sc.gov

• SLED’s FAQ on Criminal Records and Expungement,  www.sled.sc.gov/documents/CJIS/RecordsCheck&ExpungementFAQ.pdf

To find more information on expungement, pardons, or other issues relating to fatherhood

• The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 111, Columbia, SC 29204, 803-227-8800, www.scfathersandfamilies.com

Sometimes all it takes is a little knowledge. Hope this helps.

~rfw

February 2012 Newsletter

We are pleased to share our latest newsletter.

SCATJC February2012

If you have questions, please feel free to email me.

~RFW

Law School for Interpreters: A Success!

Bright and early Saturday morning, 77 people were driving into downtown Columbia to attend the SC Access to Justice Commission’s LEP Work Group “Law School for Interpreters.”

Meanwhile, the sponsors were all busy opening the facility and readying the room and registration tables for each of these interpreters.

At 8:45 a.m., seats filled and the LEP Work Group provided an overview of the day and the program began.

The Agenda:

• Registration and Breakfast 8:00 a.m.
• Welcome & Overview 8:45 a.m.
• Pretest 9:00 a.m.
• “Oh the Places You Can Go and the People You Can Meet” (Overview of the SC Judicial System) 9:15 a.m.
• South Carolina State Court Interpreter Certification Program 9:45 a.m.
• BREAK
• Circuit Court 10:30 a.m.
• Family Court 11:15 a.m.
• Magistrates Court 12:00 noon
• Catered Lunch
• Court Process 1:45 p.m.
• BREAK
• Panel Discussion & Q&A: Reality Check 3:15 p.m.
• Post-test, Wrap-Up, & Evaluation 4:45 p.m.

The excitement in the room was palpable. Interpreters greeted one another with hugs, and sometimes questions of “which language do you speak?” And the excitement was not limited to interpreters and translators. Many of the event sponsors were thrilled with the turn-out, especially on a Saturday. Languages represented included Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, French, and Urdu as well as a few others.

And we’re all excited about the prospect of an additional pool of qualified and certified interpreters and translators in the South Carolina Court System.

Thanks again to our sponsors, speakers, and participants!

~RFW

Focus on Pro Bono: Celebrate Pro Bono 2011

I’m very proud to don this logo on the SC Access to Justice blog. For the past three years, the American Bar Association has hosted this powerful, national event highlighting the importance of pro bono legal services around the United States.

In South Carolina, we’re proud to highlight some of the work in our own backyard. Throughout the remainder of Celebrate Pro Bono 2011, you’ll be able to learn how South Carolina law students and practicing attorneys interpret pro bono legal services and put it into action.

Many thanks to the American Bar, probono.net and the thousands of attorneys and law students who are celebrating pro bono this week!

~ RFW

Thanks 2011 Mock Trial Judges!

Everyday I’m reminded why I like the law. There are so many reasons, but one of the most important is how much I like and respect my colleagues.

We endure lawyer jokes. We are cursed along with “used-car salesmen” (and are they really so bad? My cars were exactly what I wanted).

And sure, there are some who bring out the worst.

BUT there are even more who are really cool people. They engage in their communities and take an active leadership role. Below is such a list. All these attorneys took time out to coach, judge or coordinate local High School student mock trial competitions. And that IS really cool. THANKS!

Take a look, you may know one or more. (click to enlarge)

-RFW

Middle School Mock Trial Judges Needed

Middle School Mock Trial Judges Needed

The Law Related Education Committee at the SC Bar is hosting the Middle School Mock Trial Competition and we need your help!  Please consider volunteering some time to judge this event.  The schedule is as follows.  Meals, training, and pro bono credit are provided.

Regional Competitions:

Saturday, November 13, 2010 (7:30 am – 1:30 pm)

Regional Locations: Columbia, Conway, and Greenville

State Competition:

Saturday, December 4, 2010 (7:30 am – 5:00 pm)

STATE Location: Lexington County Courthouse

If you are available on one or both of those days, please email or call LRE Director Cynthia Cothran at 803-252-5139 or ccothran@scbar.org Please feel free to pass this message along to friends or colleagues who might be interested in helping also.

-RFW

PS – If you’ve not volunteered before, this is a great program. The students are well-prepared and take these competitions very seriously. And, it’s fun to see the next generation . . .

Celebrate the ADA’s 20th

Today is the last day to register for an exciting event in Charleston on Thursday, September 23rd.

For attorneys, this is a great opportunity to attend a Continuing Legal Education Event to learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its impact over the past 20 years.

The Agenda:

The ADA: Olmstead and Beyond – Elizabeth Priaulx, National Disability Rights Network

The ADA and State Budget Cuts: North Carolina’s Experience – John Rittelmeyer, Disability Rights North Carolina

The ADA and Medicaid Issues: Georgia’s Experience – Joshua Norris, Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc.

The ADA and State Delivery of Services – Panel Discussion

The ADA and the Fair Housing Act: Aging in the Community – Susan Ann Silverstein, AARP Foundation Litigation

The ADA as Civil Rights Litigation: Class Actions and Attorneys’ Fees Issues – Armand Derfner, Derfner Altman & Wilborn

How Do We Maintain the Momentum? – Panel Discussion

Details:

• $50 non-profit attorneys
• $100 government and private bar
• Lunch is included in registration fee

For the public, this event offers a special evening of celebration and a chance to meet some passionate disability advocates with a presentation by Samuel Bagenstos. And the reception is free. Registration is required however.

Both these events offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate 20 years of the ADA! Please join us in the celebration!

For more information, please visit http://www.pandasc.org/.

Hope to see you there!

-RFW

Why I do Pro Bono . . .

Why do I do pro bono? This is a question I’m frequently asked.

Here are some of my responses:

1. I like to do it. It makes me feel good. When I help someone with a legal issue/problem, I feel GREAT!

2. Often, it exposes me to new people. If there’s a pro bono project, chances are I’ll meet at least one new person.

3. It’s part of my responsibility as an attorney. See Rule 6.1.

4. I learn something new EACH TIME! Whether I learn a new area of the law, a tidbit about a particular part of the state, a new technology, a new organization that’s helping people, etc.

5. Often, I get to teach something to someone. Yup, that’s right. I get to be a teacher. And, that’s pretty cool. I always liked playing school as a child – especially when I got to play the teacher. So here’s my opportunity to re-enact one of my favorite childhood pastimes.

6. I can hone up on my “lawyering” skills. That’s right, it’s called a “law practice” for a reason, right? And I need to practice, right?

Why do you do pro bono?

-RFW

Fall 2010: Law School for Non-Lawyers

Law School for Non-Lawyers

It’s BACK TO SCHOOL time and not just for kids!

You can go back to school too, via the SC Bar’s Law School for Non-Lawyers course.

The program is a 7-week Law School for Non-Lawyers course covering a variety of general legal subjects. The registration fee is $45 which includes course materials.

Covered topics include:

• Overview of State Courts
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Family Law
• Juvenile Justice
• Child Protection Hearings
• Wills, Estates and Probate Law
• Health Care and Elder Law
• Bankruptcy Law
• Consumer Law and Debt Collection
• Real Estate and Landlord/Tenant Law
• Employment Law
• South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law
• Criminal Law
• Torts

The following courses are currently scheduled:

Trident Technical College

Offered every Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

September 14, 2010 through October 26, 2010

7000 Rivers Avenue, N. Charleston

Building 910, Room 123

To register, call 843-574-6152 or visit www.tridenttech.edu

HURRY, Registration ends September 7^th

Horry/Georgetown Technical College

Every Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Beginning September 20, 2010 through November 1, 2010

743 Hemlock Dr., Myrtle Beach

Building 200, Room 136

To register, call 843-477-2020 or 843-349-5363 or visit www.hgtc.edu

HURRY, Registration ends September 14^th

For any other questions or concerns you have, please contact Debbie Morris at dmorris@scbar.org or 800-395-3425, ext. 158.

The Law School for Non-Lawyers is made possible through an IOLTA grant from the SC Bar Foundation.

RESOURCE FRIDAY!

Ok, it’s been a while since I’ve added a RESOURCE FRIDAY post. BUT here’s one I couldn’t resist.

For attorneys and others interested in becoming Guardians ad Litem (GALs) in Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation cases for Vulnerable Adults in South Carolina, there is a resource page just for you – click here.

And, for those of you who aren’t already familiar with lawhelp.org/sc, you may want to check it out! It’s chock full of nifty tips and resources!

-RFW