No. The library cannot make change and all payments are cash only.
Can I make photocopies of law library materials or court forms?
Yes. Photocopies made at the self-service coin operated copier and computer print outs cost 20 cents per page. Any copies made by library staff cost 50 cents per page.
Can I obtain legal forms from the law library?
Yes. We have paper forms that are also available at the Web sites listed above. Yuma County will accept forms from other Arizona Counties as long as the caption is modified to indicate “Yuma County”. We can also show you the legal form books and handbooks in our collection. [These forms are not locally approved, fill-in-the-blank forms with instructions.] Quite often legal forms must be drafted by you or an attorney. We may be able to show you samples of generic forms.
Can law library staff give me definitions of legal terms?
No. We can assist you by showing you Black’s Law Dictionary and provide you with access to topic-based legal volumes.
Can you recommend an attorney for me?
No. The law library staff does not recommend or direct patrons to the services of specific attorneys or law firms. We encourage patrons to access information about attorneys from the Yellow Pages, State Bar of Arizona or the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory
Do attorneys work at the law library?
No. Library staff is prohibited by law from practicing law. Library staff does not provide legal advice, interpret laws or court rules, or fill in a patron’s legal forms. Legal research is very complex and often requires a great deal of time to conduct. Patrons who represent themselves in a legal matter act as their own attorney and are solely responsible for adhering to applicable laws, court rules, filing requirements, and other requirements associated with the practice of law. Patrons who have legal questions that cannot be adequately addressed or answered with library resources may want to discuss their situation with an attorney or Community Legal Services.
Does the law library computer have word processing software on it?
Yes. The law library has blank legal pleadings (forms) that you can use to draft your own motions.
Does the law library have Internet access?
Yes. The law library has computers but the access is limited to sites for legal research only.
Does the law library have online legal research services?
Yes. The library has a subscription to WestlawNext.
How do I log on to the law library computer?
Yes. If you are a first time user or need assistance, the law library staff will provide you with instructions.
Is the law library open to the public?
Yes. The library is open to the public, serving Yuma County’s legal community and all residents of the county.
May I check out books from the law library’s collection?
No. Law library materials are reference books and may not be checked out by the public. They are available for use inside of the library only.
What can the law library staff do to help me with my legal question?
Staff can direct patrons to the most authoritative and helpful print and online resources currently available. Staff can provide patrons with full access to the legal collection, which is comprised of legal self-help books, a computer, access to WestlawNext, case law reporters, state and federal laws, local ordinances, topical practice guides, legal forms, dictionaries, encyclopedias, a copy machine, and free brochures. Law Library staff is prohibited from conducting legal research for you.
What self-help resources are available on the Internet?
Where is the law library located and what are the hours of operation?
The law library is located in the Yuma County Justice Center located at 250 W. 2nd Street, Yuma, AZ. The Law Library is in the adjacent Historic Courthouse. Enter through the Yuma County Justice Center and pass through security. If you need directions to the Law Library, court staff can direct you or call (928) 817-4165 in advance.
The Law Library is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Why won’t the law library or the courts answer my legal question?
Court clerks and law library staff are not attorneys and cannot answer specific questions regarding how your situation relates to the law or how your question can best be resolved. The law library provides patrons with the opportunity to access a full legal collection, perform legal research in a quiet environment and ask library staff for helpful research tips.
Will you help me complete or draft my legal forms?
No. We are not attorneys and cannot give you legal advice, tell you what form is needed, what word to use in a form, interpret the law or interpret a legal document. When you go to court and/or have any contact with court and legal proceedings, you are solely responsible for understanding how to provide information required for motions, briefs, subpoenas, divorce papers, and other legal documents. However, we have resources that may help you prepare your documents/forms.
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