Legal Aid helps the helpless; understanding a 50B

Profile of Legal Aid of North Carolina.

News Story (North Carolina)

Larry Penkava
Courier-Tribune (Asheboro, NC)
May 21, 2016
READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Tags: Domestic Violence

Organizations mentioned/involved: Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC)


DETAILS

“They saved my life. I was about to have a breakdown.”

“They” refers to Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people. There are 20 field offices and the Greensboro location serves Davidson, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham and Rowan counties.

“My husband beat me,” said a domestic violence victim who wished to remain anonymous. But when she filed for a 50B protective order, her husband got a lawyer. “I was told Legal Aid would help me so I asked for a continuance.”

That’s when Legal Aid attorney Jennifer Wilson became involved. She was able to negotiate a consent order with the defense attorney, in lieu of going before a judge in Family Court.

“We negotiated to avoid the testimony of a stepdaughter against her dad,” Wilson said. “We were able to work it out where (the victim) was safe without causing long-term damage to the family.”