United Way of the Coastal Empire in Rincon recently announced a new addition to their lineup of services.
The nonprofit law firm Georgia Legal Services has expanded to Effingham County.
The firm also serves Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Emanuel, Evans, Liberty, Long, Tattnall and Toombs counties.
Nancy DeVetter, an attorney with the firm, outlined the free legal services provided for civil cases. The firm does not handle criminal cases.
Assistance is available for low-income residents.
One focus of the firm is to help people get their criminal records restricted and corrected.
The goal is to help people get jobs.
“Georgia has the second highest incarceration rate in the country,” DeVetter said.
DeVetter also said that Georgia ranks as the worst state in employment opportunities for those with criminal records.
She also noted that a survey of employers showed that criminal records of potential employees did not rank as their highest concern. Many even said they would hire someone with a criminal record.
DeVetter said restricted criminal records aren’t available to the public and employers, but they are still available to law enforcement.
Those who have been convicted, with few exceptions, are not eligible for record restriction. Exceptions include certain misdemeanor convictions before the age of 21, first offender convictions and diversion court.
Georgia Legal Services also provides legal assistance in a variety of areas including, Social Security, custody, domestic violence, Medicare, stalking, unemployment and wills.
To apply for their services, or to get more information call 912-651-2180 or 888-220-8399.
Their office is located at 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 203 in Savannah.