National Adoption Day is an annual event, celebrated since 2000, that has placed more than 75,000 children living in foster care with forever families. In 400 cities across the nation, policymakers, advocates, and key players in the family court system have collaborated to plan events in furtherance of the event’s shared goals: calling attention to the large number of children in the foster care system, reducing the backlog of adoption cases in family courts across the nation, and celebrating the successful adoption of foster children by loving parents. On November 19, 2021, four Harris County Judges will host private adoptions as well as adoptions with the Department of Famliy and Protective Services. Events start at 9:00 am.
Read moreVeterans Day Legal Aid Resources
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According to the United States Census Bureau’s 2015-2019 American Community Survey, as cited in this infographic, seven percent of all Texas adults are veterans of the U.S. military, making Texas the state with the second-highest population of veterans in the nation. Throughout the country, veterans report that access to free legal services is a top ten unmet need. Today, as we honor veterans not only in Texas but in every state, from every branch of the military, and from every service era, we at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library are providing links to legal information and resources aimed at addressing the need for veterans’ access to justice.
Read moreFresh Starts: Expunctions and Nondisclosures in Texas
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If you have a criminal history and wish to clear your record, there are two options – expunction and nondisclosure. If you don’t qualify for one, you may qualify for the other, but making that distinction can be difficult and the process a bit murky. With this blog post, we are providing links to resources that may clear the confusion and help you get a clean start.
Read moreThe Open Society Justice Initiative Database on HeinOnline
For those interested in learning about legal advocacy for the advancement of human rights and efforts to expand access to justice worldwide, HeinOnline now features the Open Society Justice Initiative database.
Read moreNational Deaf Awareness Month: Better Communication for Safety and Justice
Last week, we recognized Hispanic Heritage Month. This week, before September concludes, we are celebrating National Deaf Awareness Month. Both are annual observances of the history, culture, and contributions of the communities they honor. An additional focus of this post is the importance of effective communication when interacting with the justice system. It includes resources for law enforcement and the court system to use in providing more accessible channels of communication for everyone.
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