Student Legal Services, Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the questions students ask most. These answers are not intended as a substitute for legal advice, but as a way of clarifying why you might need Student Legal Services to assist you.  Since each student's legal matter is different and there may be additional facts or documents which could affect your rights in these types of matters, we would strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with an attorney to obtain legal advice concerning your specific legal matter.  You may contact us at 419.530.7230 or by stopping in our office located in Room 3504 Lancelot Thompson Student Union,   University of Toledo.

 

General questions about the Student Legal Services Program:

Questions about leasing a house or apartment:

Questions about criminal court matters:

 Questions about consumer matters:

 


 General questions about the Student Legal Services Program:

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Questions about leasing a house or apartment:
 

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Questions about criminal court matters:

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  Questions about consumer matters:

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General questions about the Student Legal Services Program: 

 

QUESTION: Do you have real attorneys to represent the students or is it just law students?
 
ANSWER: Student Legal Services, Inc., employs licensed Attorneys to assist students in their personal legal matter. We are a general practice law firm located on campus to help students.

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QUESTION: If I live on campus can I still use Student Legal Services, Inc., to resolve my legal problems?
 
ANSWER: Yes, it does not matter where a student lives. Any currently enrolled student who pays the legal services fee is eligible to use our services for a covered legal matter. We assist students who live on campus or who live at home or who live off campus in a rented house or apartment or who commute to Toledo from somewhere else.

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QUESTION: Do I have to pay a fee to use the legal services program?
 
ANSWER: Yes, each semester when you register for classes you are automatically assessed a legal services fee of $ 10.00 per semester. This fee will cover all of the services provided by our office. However, you are still responsible for any fines, court costs or filing fees charged by the court or administrative agency.

Effective with the 2014-15 academic  year, we have extended the availability of our services to UT students who are not enrolled for the summer term.  During registration for Spring, you can elect to participate for the summer term.  This ensures that you will have access to licensed attorneys who can assist you with your personal legal matters.

 

Options during spring registration:

  • Do nothing, in which case you will be billed $20 and will be eligible for legal services for spring and summer terms;
  • Opt out for summer only, in which case you will be billed $10 and will have legal services only for spring; or
  • Opt out for both spring and summer, in which case you will not be billed and will have no access to legal services

Students who take summer classes:

  • If at the time of spring registration, you opted out of Student Legal Services for summer, you will again have the opportunity to purchase the services for  $10 during summer registration. If you do not want legal services, you should check the appropriate box to opt out.
  •  If you already paid $20.00 in the spring to cover both spring and summer, then you will not be billed again.  You are already covered for summer.

    Please note that if you are not planning to enroll in summer, your only opportunity to purchase legal services for summer will be at the time of spring registration.

 

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QUESTION: Do I need to make an appointment?

 

  ANSWER: Yes. Student Legal Services is here to represent every eligible University of Toledo student; appointments are the best way to insure that every student who needs to consult an attorney receives the time and attention their case requires.

We have office hours five days a week that include one evening a week. Mon., Wed-Fri. 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Tues. 8:30 am – 8 pm. Please contact our office for an appointment time.

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QUESTION: What am I required to bring to my appointment?
 
ANSWER: Before consultation students must present a UT student ID card or other proof of enrollment at the University and photo ID. SLSI staff is required to verify eligibility and students will need to complete an Intake Form and provide copies of all documents relating to their legal matter (For example:  leases, court papers, traffic tickets, accident reports, correspondence, etc.,)

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QUESTION: Where is Student Legal Services located?

 

ANSWER: We are conveniently located in the heart of campus in Suite 1610 Rocket Hall, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft, Toledo, Ohio.   Our Phone number is: 419.530.7230

 

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QUESTION: What if I am unable to come to my appointment?

 

ANSWER: If you are unable to make your appointment please contact our office as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

 

If you do not come for your appointment and fail to cancel or reschedule it you will be marked as a No Show. If a second no show occurs, the student will not be allowed to use Student Legal Services until the following semester.

 

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Questions about leasing a house or apartment:

 

QUESTION: I am preparing to sign a lease for an apartment, condo or house, what steps should I take to prepare and protect myself?
 
ANSWER: Walk through the very apartment or premises, which you are going to rent, take note of all defects with outlets, light fixtures, windows, appliances, furniture, doors, walls . . . etc.  Ask questions of the landlord and/or their representative regarding the safety of the neighborhood; the average cost of utilities such as electric and gas. Also ask whether the water heater and furnace are gas or electric. Finally, make sure that you read and are familiar with the lease and any addendum to the lease. Take the time to have your lease reviewed by an Attorney before you sign the lease. You can contact Student Legal Services at (419) 530-7230 for an appointment to discuss this matter or to review your lease.

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QUESTION: Are there any specific terms I should pay particular attention to that will be in the lease?
 
ANSWER: Yes, make sure that your carefully review the lease concerning the following terms, to wit:
•  The term of the lease. When does the lease begin and when do it end?
•  How much advance notice do you have to give to vacate? (It is usually 30 days but some leases require 60 days or more.)
•  Can you have pets?
•  Will you automatically be billed for carpet cleaning?
•  What utilities do you have to pay?
•  What late fees or other charges are imposed by the landlord?
 
Again, you should have an attorney review the lease with your prior to you signing it, if possible. If not have it reviewed as soon as possible. You can contact Student Legal Services at (419) 530-7230 for assistance.

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QUESTION: My roommates and I are not getting along, can I just move out?
 
ANSWER: The general Answer is No. This is one of those situations that you need to make sure that you discuss with an Attorney to make sure that you do not create more legal hassles for yourself. Contact Student Legal Services at (419) 530-7230 before you take any action to discuss your rights and responsibilities in this type of situation.

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Questions about criminal court matters:


QUESTION: I got a citation for possessing/consuming beer, should I just pay the ticket and avoid going to Court?
 
ANSWER: No, because in a lot of situations you can not simply pay a citation for possession or consumption of alcohol. These types of cases typically carry a jail sentence and/or a substantial fine and a criminal conviction could  cause you problems later in life so it is always advisable to seek legal advice before making any sort of decision or entering a plea in that type of case. Contact Student Legal Services at (419) 530-7230 for assistance.

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QUESTION: What if I was arrested over the weekend and my first Court date is on Monday morning before I can see a lawyer?
 
ANSWER: You need to appear in Court as scheduled and request a continuance to talk to an Attorney. Most Courts will generally give you a one-week continuance. After you get your new court date call the Student Legal Services Office at (419) 530-7230 to schedule an appointment.

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QUESTION: My friends and I got charged with Underage Consumption of Alcohol. One friend went to Court without a lawyer and only got a $ 100.00 fine; some other friends had to pay $ 200.00 and attend some classes. I know that I am “guilty” so why should I bother with getting a lawyer?
 
ANSWER: Every one’s factual situation is different even among co-defendants. There might be some evidentiary reasons why your case should be dismissed or the charges reduced. An attorney can the review the charges and the evidence against you to determine the best way to proceed in resolving your case. The friend who only paid a fine still has a criminal conviction, which could negatively impact him/her later in life. The friends who paid more now and had to attend some classes may have avoided getting a criminal conviction. Anytime you are facing a potential jail sentence it is always advisable to first speak with an Attorney. You can contact Student Legal Services at (419) 530-7230 for assistance.

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Questions about consumer matters:

 

QUESTION: I took my car in to have it repaired and at that time, they told me it would only cost $ 250.00. However, when I went back to pick up the car the bill was now $ 800.00, do I have to pay this extra money? 


ANSWER:The State of Ohio has a number of consumer laws, which govern these types of situations. It is possible that the mechanic has violated the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act or some other consumer law that specifies how much over an estimate the mechanic can charge you in the final bill. Depending upon the facts of your case, the mechanic or repair shop may be in violation of these laws; therefore it is advisable for you to discuss this matter with an Attorney. You can contact Student Legal Services at (419) 530-7230 for assistance concerning automobile repairs.

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Last Updated: 6/27/22