Pine Tree Legal

- 95 Park St #301, Lewiston, ME 04240

In Maine, access to justice is a fundamental right, but for many low-income residents, the cost of legal representation can be a significant barrier. This is where organizations like Pine Tree Legal Assistance play a crucial role. As a statewide, non-profit organization, Pine Tree Legal is dedicated to providing high-quality, free civil legal services to people who otherwise could not afford a lawyer. The Lewiston office, located at 95 Park St, serves as a vital resource for the Androscoggin County community, offering a lifeline to those facing challenging legal problems related to their basic human needs. This article will provide a detailed and factual overview of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, helping you understand their mission, the services they offer, and how their office is designed to be accessible to everyone.

The mission of Pine Tree Legal Assistance is rooted in the belief that justice should be fair and accessible to all. They focus on helping low-income Mainers with civil legal issues that can make a difference in their ability to meet basic human needs, such as housing, income, safety, and healthcare. The organization's work is not limited to simply providing legal advice; they engage in legal advocacy and use their resources to address systemic barriers to justice that affect vulnerable populations. This includes advocating for fair public policies and providing direct representation in cases that can have a significant impact on an individual's life. This overview will detail the specific legal services they provide, their commitment to physical accessibility, and the importance of their role in the Maine legal community.

It's important to note that Pine Tree Legal Assistance operates differently than a traditional law firm. While they are staffed by licensed attorneys and legal advocates, they have limited resources and must prioritize cases based on their potential impact on a client's basic human needs. This means they are not able to help everyone who contacts them, which can sometimes lead to frustration, as evidenced in some public reviews. This guide will provide the factual information about what the organization does, how it operates, and what you can expect when you seek their assistance, allowing you to make an informed decision.

The Lewiston office of Pine Tree Legal Assistance is located at 95 Park St #301, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA. This address places the office in a central location in Lewiston, making it easily accessible for residents of Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin Counties. The office is situated in a building on Park Street, which is a well-known part of the city. The inclusion of a suite number, #301, helps visitors find the specific office within the building. This central location ensures that a significant portion of the population can reach the office to seek assistance for their legal issues.

A key aspect of Pine Tree Legal's commitment to access to justice is its dedication to physical accessibility. The Lewiston office is well-equipped to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges. It features a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, which provides a designated and convenient space for clients who use mobility aids. This is a crucial detail that makes it easier for people to get from their vehicle to the building safely and without hassle. Additionally, the office has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that there are no physical barriers to getting inside. Once inside, a wheelchair-accessible restroom is also available. These features demonstrate a clear and important commitment to serving all members of the community, regardless of their physical abilities. This attention to accessibility reflects the organization's core value of ensuring justice is available to all.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance provides a wide range of free civil legal services to eligible low-income individuals. Unlike a private law firm that can take on any type of case for a fee, Pine Tree Legal focuses on legal problems that impact a person's basic human needs. Their services and legal advocacy are aimed at helping clients with some of the most pressing issues they face. The specific legal areas they handle include:

• Tenant Eviction: They provide legal assistance to tenants facing eviction or other landlord-tenant disputes, including those related to home repairs and unsafe housing.
• Family and Domestic Violence: The organization offers legal help to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual abuse, and may provide assistance with protective orders. They also offer legal aid for family law matters, such as child custody and divorce, though intake for these cases is often limited due to high demand.
• Income and Benefits: They assist clients with issues related to public benefits, including Social Security Disability (SSI) benefits, Medicaid services, and other financial assistance programs.
• Employment and Workers’ Compensation: The firm provides legal help for low-wage workers facing issues with wages, working conditions, or workers' compensation claims.
• Housing and Homeownership: They offer legal advice and representation for homeowners facing foreclosure and can provide guidance on tax problems related to property ownership.
• Other Civil Matters: This includes providing legal advice for a variety of other issues, such as tax problems, consumer debt, and general legal advocacy.

It is important to understand that Pine Tree Legal Assistance does not handle criminal cases. If you are facing criminal charges, you should seek a criminal defense attorney. The organization's focus is on civil legal aid, which encompasses a different set of laws and legal proceedings.

As a non-profit legal service, Pine Tree Legal Assistance offers several features that highlight its mission and dedication to the community. These aspects are designed to make the process of seeking legal help as clear and structured as possible, especially given the high volume of requests they receive.

• Free Legal Services: The most significant highlight is that all of their civil legal services are provided at no cost to eligible clients. This is a crucial service for low-income Mainers who cannot afford traditional legal fees.
• Wheelchair Accessible Facilities: The office's wheelchair-accessible parking lot, entrance, and restroom are key highlights, providing ease of access for all clients, which is a crucial consideration for a public-facing organization.
• Restroom: The availability of a restroom is a simple but important amenity that adds to the comfort of visitors who may have to spend a significant amount of time at the office.
• Appointments Recommended: The organization prefers that clients schedule appointments in advance. This is a significant highlight because it helps manage the high demand for their services and ensures that when you meet with a legal professional, they have dedicated time to focus on your case. This approach helps to minimize wait times and provides a more focused consultation.

These features, while basic, are foundational to a well-run and respectful legal aid service. They show that the organization is committed to being as accessible and efficient as possible, despite its limited resources.

To contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Lewiston, you can use the following information. The physical address is 95 Park St #301, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA. The office can be reached by phone at (207) 784-1558, and a mobile phone number, +1 207-784-1558, is also available. Since the organization handles a high volume of calls and is often under immense demand, their website and public information suggest that they have specific call-in and walk-in hours. It is always best to check their website or call to confirm the current intake process and hours before visiting. This is important to ensure you can connect with a staff member during their limited intake window. The public reviews provided reflect some of the challenges that can arise from this high demand, such as difficulty getting through on the phone or feeling like communication is limited. However, these reviews also highlight the dedication of the staff, and the fact that a large number of people are seeking help from them is a testament to the essential nature of their work.

What is worth choosing about Pine Tree Legal Assistance? The primary value lies in its core mission: to provide free legal services to low-income Mainers. For a person facing eviction, domestic violence, or a loss of essential benefits, the cost of a private attorney is often out of reach. Pine Tree Legal fills this gap, offering critical legal help in civil matters that affect people's most basic needs. While the high demand for their services can present challenges, their commitment to pro bono work and legal advocacy is unparalleled. They are an essential part of the justice system for the people of Maine, ensuring that low-income individuals have a voice in legal proceedings. The organization's accessibility features and professional approach to managing their resources make them a vital and reliable option for those in need of free legal counsel in the Lewiston area.

Pine Tree Legal

95 Park St #301, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA