Warren County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Denise L. Schreck
IF you can't find a lawyer to help you in court, here are some options for you...
IF you do not make much money, you might be eligible for legal aid. Prairie State Legal Services provides free legal services to low income people. You can contact them at 800-331-0617 or 309-343-2141, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. If you qualify for their services, you will be able to speak to a lawyer about your legal problem. Prairie State's website www.pslegal.org.
IF you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, you are encouraged to contact WIRC-CAA Victim Services' 24-hour hotline at 309/837-5555 to speak with an advocate who can provide you with information on Orders of Protection, shelter, counseling, referrals, and other services.
IF you have some money to pay a lawyer, you might want to contact the Illinois State Bar's Lawyer Finder service at www.illinoislawyerfinder.com. This service gives you the name of a local lawyer with whom you can discuss your legal problem for a very low fee. After the initial consultation, you can decide whether or not to hire the lawyer.
And if you still can't find a lawyer to help you, the Warren County Circuit Court has established a new, free Warren County Legal Self-Help Center. This free, internet-based legal self-help center will provide information about your legal problem. If you do not have a computer connected to the internet, the Warren County Legal Self-Help Center can be accessed at the Warren County Public Library, 62 Public Square in Monmouth. Librarians will show you how to use the legal self-help center to find the information you need. Librarians cannot tell you what information to put in any court documents nor can they provide you with any advice about your legal problem. The legal self-help center provides only information. If you need legal advice, you need to consult an attorney or decide on your own what you should do. You can also access the legal self-help center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at http://warren.illinoislegalaid.org.
Having a lawyer in court can make a real difference. If you cannot find an attorney to represent you and you need to go to court alone, one of these options might help. Take time to prepare for your court hearing. Preparation can make a big difference in the outcome.