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Tuesday,
February 24, 2004 |
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SGA
pays for legal advice
The
Student Government Association provides a lawyer at no
cost to students for consultation on topics ranging from
traffic offenses to family law.
By
Matt Turner
Dave
Meyer, a freshman pre-major, said he saved $75 in legal
fees by going to the lawyer provided free of charge by
the Student Government Association.
Meyer went to see the lawyer, James B. Munford, after
he got a ticket for going 93 mph in a 60 mph zone. Meyer
said Munford explained his legal options and recommended
that he ask the prosecutor for a smaller fine or driving
probation.
Meyer hasn’t been to court yet, but said he was very
satisfied with the advice he got and was glad he saved
the money he was going to pay before he learned about
the service.
SGA pays $6,000 annually to provide students with free
legal advice from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Student
Center, Reading Room B.
Munford will also consult with TCU students for free over
the phone or in his office at 1200 Overlook Terrace.
“This is something students should take advantage
of,” Munford said, adding that many other schools
offer legal advising but charge for it.
“It is something a lot of students need but can’t
afford,” said SGA Treasurer David Watson. “It
is a standard part of the SGA budget every year.”
Munford, a board certified family lawyer, said he usually
advises three or four students every week on issues such
as traffic offenses, family law, landlord-tenant relationships
and probate matters.
“I have advised students on just about everything,”
Munford said. “I enjoy counseling them.”
Munford said he listens to the student’s situation
and explains their legal options, different pleas they
can make and the laws surrounding their case. He also
explains the benefits of taking defensive driving to students
with traffic offenses.
He said once he has heard a student’s case, he recommends
an attorney specialized in the area that pertains to that
case if needed, and tells the student how to hire a lawyer.
All advising is protected by the attorney-client privilege,
meaning it is confidential between the lawyer and advisee,
unless the student has a friend that comes with them to
the session, Munford said.
Munford graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington
in 1976 and South Texas College of Law in 1981. He was
board certified as a specialist in family law in 1989,
and has been giving legal advice to students at TCU since
1994. |
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