Student Legal Services
What is Student Legal Services?
Student Legal Services is a professional legal office that has been providing free advice, confidential counseling and legal assistance to the students of the University of Florida since 1977. Funded by Student Government through Activities and Service fees, SLS is essentially a pre-paid legal service for full time UF students. SLS is staffed by four licensed attorneys who are available to offer students assistance in understanding the factors that should be considered in addressing their legal problem, in determining if a lawyers services are or are not necessary and to provide them appropriate assistance, representation and/or referral.
The SLS attorneys also provide lectures, workshops, and other educational programs on a variety of legal issues to educate students on their legal rights and responsibilities. Any resident hall, fraternity, sorority, student group, organization, faculty or staff member can arrange a program by calling (352) 392-LAWS.
Services:
Student Legal Services provides full representation in:
- Landlord/Tenant matters such as: repairs, security deposits, eviction, lease termination.
- Family Law matters such as: uncontested divorce, step-parent adoption and name changes
- Expunging and Sealing criminal charges
Student Legal Services provides advice and assistance in:
- Consumer matters such as: defective products and services, warranties, contracts, credit
- Property Damage matters such as: auto accidents, stolen or damaged personal property
- Traffic Citations
- Criminal Traffic
- Criminal Charges
- Notary Services such as: preparation of affidavits, acknowledgements, powers of attorney.
Criminal and Traffic Clinic
Student Legal Services Criminal/Traffic Clinic will resume January 15, 2008. Clinic is a walk-in service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2.30 - 4.30 throughout the fall and spring semesters for any full-time UF student who has received a criminal or traffic citation, or has been arrested for a misdemeanor or 3rd degree felony. You will get an opportunity to meet one-on-one with an attorney to discuss your case.
Please note:
- Bring your citation with you.
- If you have been arrested for a more serious charge and have been assigned a public defender, that is your attorney and we cannot work with you.
- If you are unable to make it to our offices during these times, call us and we can make an appointment for you at another time.
- Fill out the client information form, available here.
Eligibility:
All full-time University of Florida students are eligible for free legal services. Full-time students for purposes of program eligibility are:
- Undergraduate students enrolled in 12 semester hours;
- Graduate students enrolled in 9 semester hours; or
- Students enrolled in 6 summer semester hours
Limitations:
Student Legal Services cannot provide assistance with the following matters:
- Claims involving the University of Florida, the State of Florida, or any of its agencies;
- Disputes between University of Florida students;
- Matters the attorney believes to be clearly frivolous, without merit or would otherwise violate the rules regulating the Florida Bar;
- Disputes in which the amount in controversy is under $100.00 or exceeds $15,000;
- Representation is limited to Alachua County.
Hours:
Student Legal Services is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Suite 368 on the third floor of the J. Wayne Reitz Union. Notary services are available without an appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Appointments:
Student Legal Services is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Suite 368 on the third floor of the J. Wayne Reitz Union. Appointments to see an attorney are required and may be made in person or by calling the office at 352-392-LAWS. Legal advice cannot be given over the telephone or by email. Notary services are available without an appointment until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. After scheduling an appointment students are required to submit the client information form, available here, before seeing an attorney.
Confidentiality:
All matters discussed with the attorneys are strictly confidential. An attorney is sworn to preserve the confidence of a client. This rule applies equally to those persons working with an attorney. Every precaution will be taken to preserve the confidentiality of your file and your communications with the attorneys. Information will not be released to anyone, including the University administration or your family members, without your express consent. There are no exceptions.
Contact:
Student Legal Services
368 J. Wayne Reitz Union
P.O. Box 118505
Gainesville, FL 32611-8505
Tel:(352) 392-LAWS
Fax: (352) 392-1624
Email: sls@sg.ufl.edu
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