Why do we have a law library? Law libraries offer services by talented professionals whose expertise can be accessed at any time and from any place. Libraries are not just a place to store print volumes. Instead, they offer access to legal research experts with specialized skills and information not available on the internet as well as information tailored to a particular geographical region. In addition, Law libraries offer training on how to do legal research and relief from the information overload caused by the information age. The Law library is open to the public and is an access point for equal justice under the law. The free and open availability of legal information is essential to a free society.
In 2018, a new pilot project was created that has served over 24,000 patrons to date. The Southwest Georgia Legal Self- Help Center offers patrons and those in the legal profession access to a wealth of legal resources. While we always recommend you seek the advice of an attorney first and foremost, if you so choose you have a right to represent yourself. The Self Help Center provides many forms needed for Family law and other topics as well as interstate and intercountry accessibility for depositions, conferences and continuing education for attorneys. We can also provide virtual meeting access between the court and patrons.
Both the Law Library and the Self-Help Center are located in the Judicial Building located at 225 Pine Avenue, Albany, Georgia, Room 209. The Library owns an excellent collection of Georgia cases, codes, digests, legal encyclopedias and other materials, both in print and on legal research bases. Patrons who visit the Law Library and Self- Help Center can access these materials. The library has packets for various legal topics which can be purchased at the library or downloaded for free.
The Law Library and S.W. Georgia Legal Self-Help Center is open to the public from 9:00 am- 12 noon and from 1:00 pm- 4:45 pm Monday-Friday. We will navigate patrons through forms Monday- Thursday during normal business hours. You may contact our staff attorney and Legal Navigators during business hours at (229)302-3295. You can access our forms at the Dougherty County Official website. We are closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Disclaimer: The Law Library and the S.W. Georgia Legal Self- Help Center can only give legal information, not legal advice. You can only get legal advice from a lawyer. The Self-Help Center has Legal Navigators who can guide you through many processes. We cannot represent you in court nor are we or the attorney your lawyers.