List of Useful Online Resources

We know it’s hard to keep all the links to different legal resources straight so we’ve gathered them all on this page. Please check it out and bookmark it for future reference. Please note that most of these links will take you to other organizations' websites, including the courts, the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, ProJusticeMN, and LawHelpMN.

As resources are updated, we’ll post them to this page so check back from time to time! If you’d like something added – please let Martha know (612-752-6676). Thanks!

Link to resources for commonly-provided brief services

VLN Resource and Referral Handbook - By legal issue, lists resources for finding the law and the services provided by the main legal services providers in Hennepin County (updated May 4, 2010)

Links to resource categories below:

Minnesota-wide
Hot Doc Forms
Other Resources
Referral Options
Hennepin County Specific
Court Services in Other Counties
Information to Review Prior to Clinic
Online Resources Video Tour

Minnesota-wide

• Summaries of the law on various issues common to people in poverty (www.lawhelpmn.org) Most resources available on the law regarding issues common to people in poverty can be found on this amazing website!

• Look up an individual's district court record

• Wiki For VLN Volunteer Attorney use only. Resource created by Volunteer Librarian Coalition with numerous substantive resources.

• Minnesota Court Forms

• Minnesota Statewide Self Help Center (a wealth of legal information as well as information on court services)

• Attorney General website (useful consumer information) A.G. Consumer Complaint Form

• Minnesota Statutes

• Court Rules (and Rules of Civil Procedures)

• Statewide Self Help Center

• Information related to cars, drivers information

• ProJusticeMN.org Civil Law Library - This library has resources on almost any topic affecting clients in poverty. If you are not yet a member, joining is easy and provides unlimited access to all resources in the site.

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Hot Doc Forms (need to register with ProJusticeMN and/or Hot Docs as a pro bono or legal aid attorney)

• Answer to a Complaint
• Garnishment Exemption Form
• In Forma Pauperis Affidavit/Order
• Criminal Expungement Petition

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Hennepin County Specific

• Making Quality Referrals (12/09) - the agencies to which VLN staff and volunteers most commonly refer clients

• VLN Attorney Suggestion Form (including most common Hennepin County legal referrals): Clients especially appreciate if you write down your advice or referral (updated Dec 09)

• Criminal Expungement Services at VLN

• Fourth Judicial District Information

• Self Help Center information

• Hennepin County Court Forms

• Hennepin County Law Library

• Concilation Court Records Search

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Consumer Related

• Minnesota Attorney General

• Consumer Complaints

• Department of Commerce Complaints

• Insurance Complaints

• Real Estate Agent Complaints

• Unclaimed Property Records

• MN Department of Labor and Industry

• MN Minimum Wage

• Workers Comp

• Contractor Recovery Fund

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Housing Related

• Henn. Co Property Info Search

• Rental Licenses Check (Mpls Only)

• MN Renters Refund

• Tenant Complaints (to Mpls)

• Information about loan modification and foreclosure scams

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Mechanics Lien Tools

• What are Mechanics Liens

For Home Owners/Leasers and General Overview of Process

• Uniform Conveyancing Blanks (for contractors)

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Other

• Insurance Complaints
• VLN Tips of the Month

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Court Services in Other Counties (for referrals)

• Ramsey County Family Court Self Help Service (see left side for other Ramsey court services)
• Ramsey County Domestic Abuse/Harassment information
• Ramsey County Civil Division
• Dakota County Family Court Self Help Center (see left side for other Dakota court services)
  

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Referrals (note: when in doubt, please feel free to call the VLN Client Intake Line to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff: 612-752-6677)

• Lawyer Referral & Information Service - all issues, no income guidelines (intake line: 612-752-6666)
• Legal Aid - Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance Program (intake line: 612-334-5970)
• MAO Legal Services - wills, probate, guardianship, (612-676-6300)
• VLN Legal Advice Clinics - map (call VLN Client Intake Line for more information: 612-752-6677)
• Legal Access Point Clinic Attorney Schedule

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Information useful to review prior to volunteering at a clinic

Support for Clinics Attorneys - please read this overview of VLN's support for your work at clinics

Looking for directions to one of our Legal Advice Clinics? Click here for an online map!

NEW! Clinic Resource Orientation materials Hear from the experts where to find the information you need most at clinics!

The following are short video introductions to the vast online resources regarding Minnesota law, especially on issues common to people in poverty. These resources make it possible to provide quality legal advice and brief services on issues with which attorneys may not be otherwise familiar (including security deposits, garnishments, civil forms, etc.). Thanks to Shannon Drake-Buhr for creating them!

Part 1: Resources Available on LawHelpMN and ProJusticeMN.org

Part 2: Resources Available on the Courts and Minnesota Statutes Websites

Part 3: Resources Available on the VLN, Minnesota AG, MN Dept of Commerce, etc., Websites

Outline of presentations (with web links)

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