Maryland Legal Aid - District Court Self-Help Center - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Andrea Black

Absolutely unacceptable. I meg Jurgen Rivera, thanks for writing down your name. Came in at 4:00. Was told, may not be able to see you today. Was confused because I was here before 4, advised you need to be seen by 4:30 in order to receive help. I see the last two women leave between 4:20 - 4:28. Coincidentally after 4:32, Jurgen comes out and says he cannot and will not see me today. I can return tomorrow at 8:30. Tax dollars at work, look forward to coming back tomorrow at 8:30 and getting real help from people who actually work. I have visited this center multiple times over the years, really disgusted with the process today. Go home on time, I understand that’s your priority.

Lou Riz

It is basically the illusion of help. The court, refuses to.accept your papers (unconstitutional) and sends you there. Then.the lawyer tells you they can't handle your issue and suggest you pay for a private lawyer,( why self help is in the name-the part that is true except.they.are going to.make it.hard for you.to.do that)If you could afford a private lawyer, would you be there? Theyncall lower income people disadvantaged. Perfect word for this.
The laws all benefit the criminal/wrongdoers, shady landlords. Law abiding citizens are screwed.

They give people false hope.
The system is stacked against you before you get there.

Tracy D

Not nearly enough staffing on the Eastern Shore. I didn't even have any representation for an appeal. If you're disabled, old, and poor, no one cares. The attorney for the original case was a pro-bono attorney, and I had to try and get all the evidence for my defense myself.
I tried the chat feature because I still had questions when I lost my case. It was useless. I was asking questions that were fact based, and needed a factual answer. And got none!
I had emails from a Maryland Legal Aid attorney, and never heard from her. A few days before my trial, I finally got a call through to MLA, and was instructed to get a postponement...

Shamika Simon

These people are terrible. I spent more time on hold than talking to an attorney as she was researching my issue. Never answered my question and when asked about the question she hung up on me.

Taylor Simone

The people working here are rude and incompetent especially the female workers. They say just about anything to hurry and get you off the phone. I asked for clarification multiple times as to why they could not assist me and was rushed off the phone and not given a reason . They assumed that I owned a business but i clarified multiple times I’am not a business owner, In addition to being told that the supervisor was listening in on my conversation yet I was unable to be directly transferred to speak with the supervisor and was told that a supervisor called me back but never heard from anyone.

They don’t give you a chance to explain anything and treat you like they are understaffed and underworked. Each time you get different information depending on who you speak to not sure where these individuals got their law degrees but they are not useful or helpful. But should of known better given they are free.

S O

I encountered a very rude female attorney yesterday (09/14/2023) evening at around 7:39 p.m on the phone. The minute I mentioned business, she became very forceful, rude and dismissive, wouldn't even allow me to clarify when I said "it's not a business" meaning the man who was tasked to fix my car and disappeared did not own a business, just did work as a side, leisurely mechanic.

She just carried on "Yes, it is a business, it is a business, yes it is, it is a business, it is a business, ma'am it's a business and we don't offer legal help to businesses." It became very hard to communicate with her after that. Her disposition was bewildering for someone working at a help center, very inexorable, harsh and unwelcoming.

I'm still stunned. I had to hang up the call because she was hellbent on dominating the conversation in a very rude and overbearing, inexplicably aggressive nature.

She even chastised me, saying "and it should have said on the helpline when you called in that we do not work with businesses. Others of my colleagues would have hung up on you once you said business. You were probably distracted and didn't hear it but call in again and listen carefully, it says we don't work with businesses."

This woman had such low tolerance it's unbelievable. Highly unpleasant experience.

Michelle Morsell

The person I spoke with knew very little about what I needed help with. I walked away with her telling me seek a lawyer. I thought that's what she was supposed to be. Plus she was too young to have experience.

ronald armstead

I've had experience with this office..Pre pandemic and during there was an excellent and very helpful attorney there. The woman that is there now is the opposite of helpful for fathers with any type of case dealing with family court steer very clear. This woman is sullen and extremely biased..One several occasions I went with procedural questions and what form to fill out only to be discouraged from doing anything . I have never encountered anti help like this. With the system already stacked against you there is no need for this type of person in there to further demoralize you..Go elsewhere Fathers that want to do right. I wish to God they het miss Jane back.