FAQs

Can the staff fill out my forms for me?: No, the staff can guide you to find the materials and forms you need so you can make informed decisions about what you should write in court forms. There may be JusticeCorps volunteers available to help you with filling out your forms.

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Self-Help Legal Center

1. What is the Lake County Center for Self-Representation (CSR)?: The Center for Self-Representation provides people representing themselves access to the same materials attorneys can use, such as practice materials, state and federal laws, and WestlawNext (a database to research case law). The Center also provides blank forms produced by the Lake County Circuit Clerk. The Center is located in Lake County William D. Block Memorial Law Library, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois 60085. The Center for Self-Representation is not staffed by attorneys and staff cannot provide legal advice.

2. When is the Center open?: The Center is open the same hours the Lake County Law Library is open, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., excluding holidays. If you need help using one of the computers to find information, please ask a library staff member for assistance. The Center is also available online 24 hours a day online.

3. Can the staff fill out my forms for me?: No, the staff can guide you to find the materials and forms you need so you can make informed decisions about what you should write in court forms. There may be JusticeCorps volunteers available to help you with filling out your forms.

4. Can other people involved in my case use the Center too?: Yes, the Center is open to all attorneys and pro se litigants who are seeking legal information and research resources in Lake County. The Center asks you to be courteous to other library users, even if they are the opposing party or counsel in your case. Insulting, threatening or yelling at opposing party or counsel is not tolerated in the law library; offenders may be asked to leave the Center.

5. Is the Center acting on behalf of the court or the judges?: No, the Center is available as a public service to make information and forms available to the public in a user-friendly way.

6. Are there any time limits on my use of a computer work-station?: We have 7 computer workstations in the Law Library. If all 7 computers are in use and someone is waiting, we will impose a 2-hour time limit.