Posted: November 1, 2016
A Big Move: Clerk's Self Help Center Now Located Inside Clearwater Courthouse
The Clerk's Self Help Center is now located inside the Clearwater Courthouse at 315 Court Street, Room 114. Previously housed in the Old Clearwater Courthouse, the Clerk's Self Help Center is now easily accessible to the public in the new Courthouse across from the information desk.
With many citizens visiting the Clearwater Courthouse for a variety of Civil matters, moving the Self Help Center just a few steps away from the Civil Court Records department was a top priority for the Clerk. "Our Self Help Center has become an invaluable resource for our community and the new location makes getting legal assistance easier than ever," stated Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
About the Clerk's Self Help Center
Citizens who do not have a private attorney acting on their behalf can get affordable, trustworthy legal assistance at the Clerk's Self Help Center which has three convenient locations throughout the county. The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Self Help Center was developed in collaboration with the office of Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the Community Law Program and the Clearwater Bar Association. This service is available to anyone, regardless of their financial situation, and costs $1 per minute, for a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 60 minutes. Citizens can use the service as many times as needed to resolve their case. Fees paid by the customers fund the Self Help Center.
The Clerk's office may statutorily assist with Family, Small Claims and Landlord/Tenant matters. Since its inception in October 2007, the Clerk's Self Help Center has had well over 27,000 appointments. Attorney consultations are just one facet of the customer experience at the center. Other services include the purchase of forms, as well as notary services. The local Hispanic Outreach Center, which provides social services also provides (by request) a Spanish interpreter at the Clearwater Courthouse location.
For more information, visit the Self Help Center tab.