The Cook County Public Defender’s Freedom Defense Center of Roseland is expanding access to legal resources for South Side residents with free attorney office hours beginning on Nov. 19 in partnership with The Village Legal and Community Project.
“For too long, access to legal assistance has depended on where you live or what you can afford,” Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell, Jr., wrote in a press statement.
The free sessions will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Freedom Defense Center, located at 11437 S. Michigan Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome. More information can be found here.
“The Freedom Defense Centers were created to change that – to make sure that every resident, regardless of circumstance, has a trusted place to turn,” Mitchell continued. “Working alongside The Village Legal and Community Project allows us to extend that promise and make justice a living, breathing part of the community.”
Opened in May, The Freedom Defense Center is the first of its kind community-based law office, serving as a legal hub, offering holistic, wraparound support to people and families impacted by the justice system.
Through the free sessions, community members can meet directly with attorneys from The Village to receive brief advice, representation and referrals on legal issues, including:
- Child support
- Power of attorney
- Debt collection
- Sealing and expungement
- Parenting time
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Driver’s License reinstatement
“Too many people face legal challenges alone simply because they don’t know where to turn,” Joan Clay, Esq., Founder and CEO of The Village Legal and Community Project, said in a written statement. “By being present in the community through these office hours, we’re not just offering legal help – we’re offering hope, support, and understanding.
The Village Legal and Community Project is a South Side community-based nonprofit that provides pro bono and sliding-scale legal services. The organization is committed to providing access to justice, advancing economic opportunities and addressing the systemic disparities in Chicago communities.
Attorney office hours will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
The new expanded legal resources build on the Cook County Public Defender’s Office’s commitment to bringing legal resources directly to community residents.
Last month, the Freedom Defense Center launched a Know-Your-Rights series with a seminar focused on the Fourth Amendment. The series will feature rotating topics to help residents understand their rights and responsibilities.
