TEXAS — There is a service offered in several Texas cities that offers legal advice, resources and more. They’re called “legal kiosks,” formerly called “virtual court kiosks.”
Candi Rivera is the program manager for the kiosk project. She said that it acts as a one-stop shop for legal needs.
“You can sit here and join a video meeting, you can explore common legal topics, or you can research local resources or get legal help,” said Rivera.
Every kiosk comes with a printer, so any forms or paperwork can be printed onsite.
The kiosks offer real-time help in filling out legal forms if you have questions. You can also speak with an attorney for free through these kiosks, and under certain eligibility guidelines, you can get extended legal advice for free.
These machines have also already been rolled out at places like public libraries, hospitals and even domestic violence shelters. That’s something officials are excited about, especially seeing the impact the kiosks are making.
Texas Legal Services Center Executive Director Karen Speedmiller said that with many people unable to access reliable internet, “We’ve found that they really help bridge the justice gap for people who can’t afford lawyers and who actually need a little more explanation about the legal resources that they’re seeing and the information they’re gathering.”
There are 45 legal kiosks available statewide. To find one near you, visit the Texas Legal Services Center website.