Legal Assistance for Victims
Through the LAV grant, FCADV subcontracts with legal service providers to represent victims in their divorce and custody proceedings, as well as provide matching legal services. FCADV also subcontracts with legal service providers to provide representation to immigrant victims of domestic violence, as well as immigration training and technical assistance.
The private law firm of Carlton Fields will provide pro bono legal assistance in family law actions and domestic violence appeals on an as needed basis. In addition, FCADV provides training and technical assistance to attorneys and advocates.
Get Help Now - Legal Hotline
1-800-500-1119, ext. 3. Out of Florida callers dial 1-850-385-0611.
The Legal Hotline operates from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are calling after hours, you can leave a message on the legal hotline answering machine, and calls will be returned during business hours.
When you call, a non-lawyer will answer the phone, inquire about your safety, and will ask you some basic information. You will be asked for your name and a safe number at which the hotline attorney may call you back.
A hotline attorney will then contact you and conduct a phone intake, try to answer your legal questions, spot any additional legal issues, and provide you with legal options. Hotline attorneys are trained in domestic violence dynamics, legal advocacy, and hotline skills. The hotline attorney will also be able to refer you to legal and domestic violence resources in your county.
The hotline attorney cannot represent clients in court or review or submit documents for individuals.
History
FCADV first received a Civil Legal Assistance grant (now called the Legal Assistance for Victims grant) in 2000. Project funds were utilized to expand the Clearinghouse Project to include legal representation of domestic violence victims in dissolution of marriage and child custody actions. In addition, FCADV created a Domestic Violence Legal Manual that was distributed to domestic violence attorneys and advocates throughout the state.
FCADV was fortunate to receive another Legal Assistance for Victims grant in 2006. FCADV's grant project partners include Florida Legal Services, the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC), and the private law firm of Carlton Fields.
This service has been operated by Florida Legal Services in Tallahassee since March of 1998.
The Legal Hotline is a service of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence through a contract with Florida Legal Services. Funds for the hotline are provided pursuant to the STOP Violence Against Women Act.
FLORIDA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
425 Office Plaza Dr. • Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone (850) 425-2749 • FAX (850) 425-3091
Hotline: 1-800-500-1119 • TTY Hotline: 1-800-621-4202
All calls to FCADV and services provided by FCADV are confidential.
FCADV and its 42 member centers are committed to serving people living with disabilities.
