Our Purpose
The Purpose of Student Legal Services
The Student Legal Services Program was initiated in 1995 by University
of Toledo students who felt a need to provide quality legal counsel to
students. Student Legal Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit private corporation
with offices on the University of Toledo campus. The operation is governed
by a 14 member board of trustees, which includes eight students as voting
members. Employees of Student Legal Services, Inc. are not employees or
agents of the University of Toledo. The purpose of Student Legal Services,
Inc. is to provide prompt, efficient and high quality legal service to
University of Toledo students who enroll in the legal services program.
Legal assistance includes providing students access to information concerning
their legal rights, private consultation and representation in their individual
legal matters.
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Services
THE LEGAL SERVICE PROGRAM
Student Legal Services, Inc. offers UT students four (4) major services:
advice, representation, referral, and education. No attorney’s fees
are charged for the basic services rendered by Student Legal Services
which is funded solely from the Student Legal Services fee.
Students, are however, responsible for all court costs, filing fees, etc.
associated with their respective case. The Attorney – client privilege
is strictly enforced. All student files are the private property of the
Attorney and are never viewed by anyone outside the Student Legal Services,
Inc. Office.
ADVICE
Student seeking legal information and advice can get answers at the Student
Legal Services office.
REPRESENTATION
The Student Legal Services’ attorney will represent students in
any judicial or administrative proceeding covered by the service in which
the appearance could make a substantial difference in the outcome of the
student’s case. Representation is limited to Lucas County, Ohio.
EDUCATION
Student Legal Services, Inc. will sponsor a variety of lectures, workshops
and seminars concerning relevant legal issues throughout the year. Through
these programs, students will become acquainted with their legal rights
and responsibilities as citizens. As an educational tool, the legal services
will strive for a legal educated and more responsible student body.
REFERRAL
Student Legal Services will provide referrals to other agencies to eligible
participants in legal matters not covered by the legal services plan.
Additionally, if eligible University of Toledo students have legal matters
pending in the Bowling Green Municipal Court, they may be eligible for
referral to and representation from the Bowling Green Student Legal Services
Program, at no additional cost. Affected students should contact us to
see if they qualify for this additional benefit.
LEGAL MATTERS COVERED
LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES
The program handles a wide range of landlord/tenant conflicts, including,
but not limited to, security deposit refund problems, repairs, drafting
of sublease agreements and defending actions for rental payments and evictions.
MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL/TRAFFIC MATTERS
This area includes representation for misdemeanor cases such as driving
under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, petty theft, disorderly conduct
and false identification, traffic violations, underage consumption, etc.
CONSUMER PROBLEMS
This area includes matters pertaining to warranties, defective products
and service, review of consumer and employment contracts, and arrangements
for payments to creditors.
MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL MATTERS
This area includes Wills, Expungments, Employment and Unemployment matters,
uncontested Divorces/Dissolutions (no children/no property), Name Changes,
Property Damage Claims and Step-parent Adoptions.
LIMITATION OF THE PROGRAM
Student Legal Services, Inc., WILL NOT provide advice or representation in the following areas:
1. Actions between students and the University.
2. Actions between students.
3. Actions against a member of the Board of Regents, Board of Trustees,
faculty or staff of the University.
4. Actions against a state officers or agency arising out of the performance
of the officer or the agency official duties.
5. Actions against a law enforcement officers arising out of the performance
of the office
Because of the potential time demands and specific expertise required STUDENTS WITH THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LEGAL MATTERS WILL ONLY BE ENTITLED TO INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES:
1. Matters involving Administrative Agencies, such as
Social Security, Worker’s Compensations, Veteran’s Benefits,
Welfare Benefits, etc.
2. Contested Domestic Relations matters – Divorce, Child Support,
Child Custody, Parentage, etc.
3. Guardianships (Minor and/or Adult)
4. Parking Tickets
5. Felony Criminal/Traffic Offenses
6. Copyright, Patent and Trademark matters
7. Immigration Matters
8. Medical and/or Legal Malpractice matters
9. Probate of Estates
10. Matters in which a student is acting as the proprietor of a business.
11. Taxes
Students will be provided with ADVICE ONLY (No Court
representation) in the following types of legal matters:
1. Bankruptcies
2. Personal Injury
3. Real Estate Purchase/Sale
4. Discrimination
5. Victim Rights
Eligibility
Eligible Persons: Students are automatically assessed the $10.00 per semester legal service activity fee at the time they register for classes. All registered U.T. Students who have paid the legal service activity fee are eligible for services. For the Basic fee of $10.00 per semester eligible students are entitled to open three (3) files each semester. Additional fees will be assessed for the 4th and any successive cases opened each semester.
Students may elect not to pay the fee and therefore waive their right to participate in the Program by indicating this preference in the registration process. Students who do not pay the fee are not eligible for services. Upon graduation, an individual will continue to receive services for a period of no more than six (6) months after graduation, if his or her case was opened prior to said student’s graduation from the University.
The following persons are not eligible for services from Student Legal
Services, Inc.
a) Students who have not paid their student legal services fee;
b) Spouses and Dependents of eligible students;
c) Friends of eligible students;
d) Non-enrolled Faculty or Staff of the University;
e) Student and/or Community Organizations; and, Individuals who have withdrawn
from the University and/or lost Student Status except as noted above.