Judiciary opens newest walk-in court help center providing free legal help in Rockville

(ROCKVILLE, MD) – Today, the Maryland Judiciary announced the launch of the ninth District Court Help Center, expanding the Judiciary’s access to free, in-person legal help. The Court Help Center is located inside the District Court courthouse in Montgomery County, located at 191 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville. It will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new help center will occur on a later date.

“All people who rely upon Maryland’s courts should be able to obtain the legal information and assistance they need, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” said Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera. “Whether litigants need assistance with documentation, finding a lawyer, or deciding what to do next, the purpose of the centers is to help Marylanders navigate the court system, facilitating access to justice for all.”

District Court Help Centers serve unrepresented litigants with civil, district court matters, including landlord and tenant, small and large claims, consumer debt, return of property, peace and protective orders, and expungement. Lawyers provide free legal advice and information, and help individuals understand court documents, prepare for court hearings, complete court forms, and make referrals to legal and social services providers. An increase of walk-in visitors to the centers this summer is anticipated, legal assistance also will remain accessible by phone, video chat, and email.

“Civil matters are common, but not everyone understands the intricacies of what is needed before and during court, specifically unrepresented litigants,” said District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey. “Montgomery County is Maryland’s largest populated county and this help center will be ready to serve its over one million residents who may need court help.”       

The Maryland Judiciary has opened District Court Help Centers throughout Maryland, in nine jurisdictions. They are part of the Judiciary’s diverse network of programs and services for self-represented litigants. Since 2009, the District Court Help Centers have provided more than 127,000 walk-in instances of service to Marylanders not represented by counsel. Combined with the phone help center, more than 550,000 individuals have been assisted for free by the trained attorneys staffing the help centers. 

Maryland Court Help offers services remotely—by telephone, live chat and email, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visit www.mdcourts.gov/courthelp. The remote services center and District Court Help Centers are staffed by attorneys and support staff employed by the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, LLC.