Resources for Legal Clinics

RESOURCES FOR

LEGAL CLINICS This 30-question exercise on online legal resources is designed for those who wish to test and/or improve their knowledge about the resources we provide to help our volunteers quickly find the law and facts that will support high quality legal services.

There are also explanations for each answer to the exercise after each question- check them out for additional information!

You may also wish to view our training videos on this page: http://www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/resources/CA

BEGIN

http://www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/resources/CA

Resources for Legal Clinics

Question 1: What website is designed to help low

income Minnesotans?

A: ProJusticeMN.org

B: MNCourts.gov

C: LawHelpMN.org

D: Google.com


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! LawHelpMN.org managed by the

Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, has a wealth of legal information and referrals.

Clinic assistants should familiarize themselves with this site and educate volunteer attorneys about it whenever possible.

Next.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/index.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/so/1


Question 2: What is a fact sheet and when would you

use it? A: A brief explanation of the law around a certain

issue to assist attorneys in becoming familiar with the law quickly.

B: The form a client completes when he or she wishes to see an attorney at the legal advice clinics.

C: A document used in court that summarizes all of the stipulated facts in a case.

D: A brief overview of VLN’s mission statement and how its legal advice clinics are run.

http://www.mylegalaid.org/get-legal-help/fact-sheets


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! The fact sheet is a form, updated by

Legal Aid on an annual basis, for clinic attorneys to use that summarizes the law quickly and in language most clients can understand. They are extremely useful to clinic attorneys.

Next.

http://www.mylegalaid.org/get-legal-help/fact-sheets


Question 3:

What VLN webpage lists most of the resources a clinics attorney would find helpful?

A: www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/volunteer

B: www.voluneteerlawyersnetwork.org/volunteer/clinic


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct. This page on the VLN website lists most

of the resources from legal aid fact sheets to the VLC wiki to the link to look up a court record.

Clinic assistants should familiarize themselves with this site and educate volunteer attorneys around it whenever possible.

Next.

http://www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/volunteer/clinic


Question 4: What is the VLN wiki?

A: Created by a group of librarians and Westlaw, it provides 300 minutes a month of access to Westlaw databases for pro bono attorneys with an approved user name and password

B: Created by a group of librarians, it includes an option by which an attorney may submit a question and librarians will submit an answer. It provides online access to most VLN resources, some of which are password protected .

C: Created by a group of librarians, it includes a chat feature by which librarians and volunteer law students will conduct immediate research for volunteer attorneys.


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! VLC wiki includes form letters and court

forms developed especially for clinic attorneys.

Clinic assistants should familiarize themselves with this site and educate volunteer attorneys whenever possible.

The username to access the site is: VLNClinic and the password is: 600nicollet.

Next.

https://vlc.wikispaces.com/


Question 5: True or False: There is a link to the VLC

wiki from VLN’s website?

A: True.

B: False.



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct!

Most sites that a clinics attorney would frequently use are listed on this VLN webpage.

Next.



Question 6: What legal aid fact sheet would you give

a client whose wages have been garnished to pay a debt?

A: Landlord Tenant.

B: Garnishment and your rights.

C: Consumer Fact Sheet.

D: Credit and Credit Reports.


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! On LawHelpMN.org select

Consumer and Debt then Debt and Garnishment and choose Fact Sheet C-4.

This provides information about wage garnishment to satisfy debts.

Next.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/index.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/so/1

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateSubTopics.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iTopicID/261/sTopicImage/consumer.gif/bAllState/0

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateChannelResults.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iSubTopicID/1/iProblemCodeID/1020100/sTopicImage/consumer.gif/iTopicID/261/ichannelid/3/bAllState/0


Question 7: What does the "get legal help" tab

on the LawHelpMN.org website do?

A: Connect the individual to the legal aid website.

B: List agencies who provide legal services by zip code and type of area.

C: Connect the individual with a chat function at the state self help center.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateAdvancedSearch.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct!

This tab is designed to help a person or his/her advocate find a legal aid office or community resource that may be able to help him/her with a civil legal problem.

Next.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateAdvancedSearch.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0


Question 8: Is LawHelpMN.org available in Spanish,

Somali and Tagalog?

C: English only.

B: No.

A: Yes.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct. While the resources that are in English are

almost completely available in Spanish and Somali, there is a wealth of information available in other languages: Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bosnian, Cambodian, Chinese, French, Hindi, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Oromo, Punjabi, Russian, Serbo/Croatian, Swahili, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Next.


Question 9: Once you are in a legal topic, what tab

do you follow to find court forms on LawHelpMN.org? A: Consumer Debt Fact Sheet

B: Self Help Forms Tab

C: Library Link

D : Court Info Tab



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct.

This Self Help tab provides the forms needed for a particular topic should a person wish to do-it-yourself.

Next.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateChannelResults.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iSubTopicID/1/iProblemCodeID/1300100/sTopicImage/familyjuvenile.gif/iTopicID/264/iChannelID/172/bAllState/0


Question 10: True or False: The "Court Info" tab will

give court information for any court in the country.A: True.

B: False.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateChannelResults.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iSubTopicID/1/iProblemCodeID/1300100/sTopicImage/familyjuvenile.gif/iTopicID/264/ichannelid/3/bAllState/0


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct.

The Court info tab will give court information for any court in the state.

Next.

http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/StateChannelResults.cfm/County/%20/City/%20/demoMode/=%201/Language/1/State/MN/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iSubTopicID/1/iProblemCodeID/1300100/sTopicImage/familyjuvenile.gif/iTopicID/264/iChannelID/15/bAllState/0


Question 11: True or False: ProJusticeMN is a poverty

law resource for pro bono and legal services practitioners, law students and faculty. A: True.

B: False.

http://www.projusticemn.org/


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! ProJusticeMN was developed to help

attorneys while LawHelpMN was designed to help laypersons. Both can be extremely helpful to attorneys.

Next.




Question 12: True or False: LawHelpMN and

ProJusticeMN require a username and password to access some parts of the sites.

A: True

B: False




Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! ProJusticeMN does require a username

and password to access some parts of the site. Private attorneys are approved to use the site, if they do pro bono, in order to restrict the use of resources for their intended purpose (to help those in poverty).

LawHelpMN does not require a password-it is open to everyone.

Next.




Question13: What is the Minnesota Courts Website?

A: www.mncourts.gov

B: www.minnesotacourts.org

http://www.mncourts.gov/default.aspx?page=1927


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct.

www.mncourts.gov

Next.

http://www.mncourts.gov/


Question 14: Can you access court records and

dockets from this site?

A: Yes.

B: No.



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! Most court records can be accessed

online. Select the "Find Court records" tab at the top of the main page, then click on "access trial court records." You will then be prompted to accept the terms of use and then will be redirected to the page in which you may enter search terms.

Next.



Question 15: Can you find conciliation court records

on the site listed in the previous question?

A: Yes.

B: No.



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct!

Conciliation court cases are now listed on this same page.

Next.



Question 16: Can you find an Answer form on the

courts site?

A: Yes.

B: No.



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! Yes, by selecting "court forms" from the

menu on the left side of the main page.

Next.



Question 17: What resources are available from the

4th District's self-help link?

A: Family Law.

B: Criminal Expungement.

C: Landlord Tenant.

D: Conciliation Court.

E: All of the above.

http://www.mncourts.gov/selfhelp/


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! The courts webpage is another excellent

resource that clinic assistants should take time to familiarize themselves with and, when possible, teach to the volunteer lawyers.

Next.

http://www.mncourts.gov/selfhelp/


Question 18: True or False: There is a wide selection of

civil forms on the 4th Judicial District court forms site as well as the state-wide forms site.

B: False.

A: True.

http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=513


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct. When looking for a court form, it's best

to start with the Fourth Judicial District page and then check out the state page. An efficient way to do this is from the VLN webpage noted above.

Next.

http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=513


Question 19: True or False: There are links to specific

courts within the 4th Judicial District's website.

A: True.

B: False.

http://www.mncourts.gov/district/4/


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct!

The left-hand side of this site includes family court, conciliation court, probate court, criminal court and more.

Next.

http://www.mncourts.gov/district/4/?page=354


Question 20: VLN’s website offers which of the

following resources? A: Clinic specific resources.

B: Orientation materials.

C: Webinars.

D: All of the above.

http://www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct.

All of the materials on the VLN website are accessible by anyone.

Next.

http://www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/


Question 21: True or False: The University of

Minnesota Law Library website offers links to local and state government websites. A: True.

B: False.

http://local.law.umn.edu/library/home.html


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! True; by accessing their website

individuals who are non-students or non-faculty can click on the tab at the top of the page that says U of M-TC Community, then click on Research Resources.

From that link, he/she can click onto Law-Related Web Resources and find the links to local and state government websites.

Next.

http://local.law.umn.edu/library/home.html


Question 22: Where can a person go to file a

consumer complaint?

A: www.mncourts.gov

B: www.ag.state.mn.us


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! This is the Minnesota Attorney General's

website. It provides information on filing a complaint.

Next.

http://www.ag.state.mn.us/


Question 23: Can you file a complaint online at the

Minnesota Attorney General's website?

A: Yes.

B: No.



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! Yes; from the home page, by clicking on

the tab entitled Complaint Form, a person wishing to file online can follow the instructions to download a form and file online.

Next.


http://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Complaint.asp


Question 24: True or False: Clients can find and lay

claim to unclaimed property on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. A: True.

B: False.

http://mn.gov/commerce/


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! By visiting the Dept of Commerce's

website and clicking the Unclaimed Property tab and then the link for List of Names, an individual can find unclaimed property by searching under a person's name here.

To claim property, click the link entitled Filing a Claim Form.

Next.

http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/

http://mn.gov/commerce/topics/consumer-protection/Locate-Unclaimed-Property.jsp


Question 25: What is the website for the Minnesota

Department of Labor and Industry?

A: www.dli.mn.gov

B: www.mnlabor.gov


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! www.dli.mn.gov Is the Minnesota Department of Labor and

Industry website.

Next.

http://www.dli.mn.gov/


Question 26: What is the current federal minimum

wage? A: $5.85/hr

B: $6.55/hr

C: $6.85/hr

D: $7.25/hr

http://www.dli.mn.gov/LS/FedMinWage.asp


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! The federal minimum wage, as of July

24, 2009, is $7.25.

Next.

http://www.dli.mn.gov/LS/FedMinWage.asp


Question 27: What is the purpose of the

Contractor Recovery Fund? A: To compensate owners who had a contractor perform work for which they feel they should not have to pay.

B: To compensate owners who have suffered an actual loss due to the dishonesty of a licenses contractor.

C: To compensate contractors who have performed services for which they have not been paid by owners.

http://www.dli.mn.gov/CCLD/RBCRecovery.asp


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct. The Contractor Recovery Fund

compensates owners or lessees of residential property in Minnesota who have suffered an actual and direct out-of-pocket loss due to a licensed contractor's fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest practices, conversion of funds or failure of performance.

Next.



Question 28: Does the client need a judgment first

before making a claim to the contractor recovery fund?

A: Yes.

B: No.



Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! A client must exhaust all other possible

legal remedies before making a claim with the recovery fund. The first step is for a client to obtain a judgment.

Next.



Question 29: Where do you find information for a

client who needs to get a certificate of rent paid? A: MN Department of Labor.

B: MN Department of Revenue.

C: MN 4th Judicial District.


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct. By visiting the Minnesota Department of

Revenue's website a client can find information on getting a CRP by clicking on the Individual Income Tax link, then Refunds, then Property Tax Refund ,then Renters Refund finally, the hyperlink Certificate of Rent Paid.

Next.

http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/

http://taxes.state.mn.us/individ/pages/index.aspx

http://taxes.state.mn.us/individ/pages/refund_refund.aspx

http://taxes.state.mn.us/prop_refund/pages/index.aspx

http://taxes.state.mn.us/prop_refund/pages/refund_information_content_renters_refund.aspx

http://taxes.state.mn.us/prop_refund/pages/refund_information_content_renters_refund.aspx#P124_9194


Question 30: Where can you find information on

mechanic's liens?

A: MN Department of Labor.

B: MN Department of Revenue.

C: MN Attorney General’s Office.


Incorrect.

Try Again.


Correct! The Minnesota AG's website includes a

PDF entitled "Citizen's Guide to Home Building and Remodeling" which includes information about mechanic's liens.

Next.


http://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Housing/CitGuide/Default.asp


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