PRO BONO PROGRAM
26TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COLUMBIA & MONTOUR COUNTIES
READ THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION FOR THE PRO BONO PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY:
Financial eligibility for the Pro Bono Program is based primarily on the household’s income and resources, as well as the type of case involved. The Pro Bono Program does not use a sliding income scale. If the applicant is eligible, consultation services are free. If the applicant is “over-income” then no services can be provided.
Applicant must contact North Penn Legal Services at 570-784-8760 prior to submitting an application to the Court Administrator’s Office, excluding dependency cases with Children & Youth Services. If the applicant is not eligible for North Penn Legal Services, the reason must be given on the Pro Bono Application form.
To apply for services, the applicant must appear in the Court Administrator’s Office located at the rear of the second floor of the Columbia County Courthouse (For both Columbia and Montour County cases) and complete the necessary application. No consideration for the Pro Bono Program will be given over the telephone. Employees of the Court Administrator’s Office are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice.
If you are eligible for the Pro Bono Program, you will receive notice in the form of a Court Order in the mail. It is your responsibility to contact the appointed attorney to make an appointment.
CASES INCLUDED IN THE PRO BONO PROGRAM:
- Custody – Consultation Only
- Divorce – Consultation Only
- Dependency Cases with Children & Youth Services
- Parents – Full Representation
- Children – A Guardian Ad Litem attorney
- Protection from Abuse – Consultation Only
- After Special Master’s Hearing – Appeal Only
- Landlord/Tennant – Consultation Only
- North Penn Legal Services must have a conflict.
CASES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRO BONO PROGRAM:
- Support – contact the Domestic Relations Section HERE
- Civil Cases involving monetary/property damage
- Criminal Cases – Contact the Public Defenders’ Office HERE
- Civil and Criminal Cases in Magisterial District Court