Assisting with Debt Relief
When a disabled retired gentleman was sued by a telephone company after one of his relatives racked up nearly $1,000 in calls on his phone, DNA-People's Legal Services provided assistance. This man's situation is perhaps not so unusual. In many Native American cultures, all property is considered to belong to the community. For example, if one person in a family or neighborhood has a phone, everyone comes and uses it; there’s no reason to get one’s own phone if there’s another one available to use. In this case, the situation got out of hand. DNA negotiated a settlement with the phone company to reduce the debt by several hundred dollars and to allow the client to make monthly payments until the balance was paid off. DNA also successfully advocated for the judge to order $100 per month of the relative’s “per capita” payments from the tribe, to be paid to our client until paid in full.
When a disabled retired gentleman was sued by a telephone company after one of his relatives racked up nearly $1,000 in calls on his phone, DNA-People's Legal Services provided assistance. This man's situation is perhaps not so unusual. In many Native American cultures, all property is considered to belong to the community. For example, if one person in a family or neighborhood has a phone, everyone comes and uses it; there’s no reason to get one’s own phone if there’s another one available to use. In this case, the situation got out of hand. DNA negotiated a settlement with the phone company to reduce the debt by several hundred dollars and to allow the client to make monthly payments until the balance was paid off. DNA also successfully advocated for the judge to order $100 per month of the relative’s “per capita” payments from the tribe, to be paid to our client until paid in full.
Addressing Issues Preventing Employment
DNA-People's Legal Services represented a man living in poverty who was seeking employment. The man sought several positions, but he was routinely denied because a background check revealed a minor criminal charge in the 1970’s out of Arkansas. DNA learned that his charge had been ordered expunged by an Arkansas court; however, the Arkansas Crime Information Center sent the order to the F.B.I. with insufficient information. Therefore, the ordered expunged criminal charge remained on the man's record. After reviewing the documents and regulations regarding expunged crimes, DNA successfully worked with the FBI in correcting the issue. DNA's client found employment, and his background checks now come back clean.
DNA-People's Legal Services represented a man living in poverty who was seeking employment. The man sought several positions, but he was routinely denied because a background check revealed a minor criminal charge in the 1970’s out of Arkansas. DNA learned that his charge had been ordered expunged by an Arkansas court; however, the Arkansas Crime Information Center sent the order to the F.B.I. with insufficient information. Therefore, the ordered expunged criminal charge remained on the man's record. After reviewing the documents and regulations regarding expunged crimes, DNA successfully worked with the FBI in correcting the issue. DNA's client found employment, and his background checks now come back clean.
Aiding in Interactions with Collections
Dear Law Access Staff,
I want to thank you for all of the effort and assistance that you provided to help with my legal problem involving the collection company. I did not at all expect the time and commitment that you presented in addressing my legal needs. This is a wonderful service that you and the staff of Law Access provide to those of us in need. The best to you all!" -Julia