Information for the Public
CUSTODY EDUCATION PROGRAM
Per local court rule: As a prerequisite to court involvement in a custody matter, all parties to the action are ordered to attend the mandatory parenting program which has been approved, sanctioned and authorized by the Court and administered through the Washington County Bar Association prior to the Pre-Custody Conciliation Meeting. Failure of a party to attend the parenting program will result in sanctions against the party up to and including being prohibited from proferring evidence in the Meeting or Conference, or being held in contempt by the Court.
You may attend the 40-minute Custody Education Program in person ($35), or ONLINE ($50).
Click HERE for more information about the Custody Education Program
RESOURCES
Use WCBA's ONLINE program to search for an attorney (initial consultation fee paid with credit card through the online service). Lawyer Referral Service Brochure.
Modest Means Brochure. Sometimes, you can’t afford not to have an attorney. This Modest Means Program has been developed to assist people who do not qualify for free legal aid and who do not have — or perceive that they do not have — the financial resources to hire an attorney. This program offers an opportunity for you to access attorneys who have agreed to accept referrals on a reduced-fee basis in specified areas of law.
Fee Dispute Process. The Washington County Bar Association Fee Dispute Committee offers free mediation services to help clients and lawyers resolve fee disputes quickly and confidentially. Mediation is an informal and confidential process which enables parties to resolve disputes with the assistance of a mediator (or mediators), who is a neutral and impartial third-party. Participation in the process is voluntary. Either party may choose not to participate or withdraw from the process at any time for any reason. The Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court does not permit the Fee Dispute Committee or the Washington County Bar Association to handle matters related to attorney ethics or professional conduct. To explore whether or not a case such as yours involves disciplinary matters, visit the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board's website at www.padisciplinaryboard.org or call their Pittsburgh office at 412-565-3173.
LEARN ABOUT THE LAW
It is obvious that there is a lot of interest in the legal system - just turn on your television and watch the coverage of the latest high-profile legal case or one of the many popular courtroom dramas. However, when legal cases make the news or hit the tube, we very often don’t get a clear picture of all the facts or the details. The Bar Association’s public education programs de-mystify the legal system and help separate the fact from the fiction.
The Washington County Bar Association and its members are committed to providing educational programs to help the public understand the importance of the rule of law to our society, American civic values, our courts and our system of justice, and the meaning of our democracy in a diverse society.
LAW DAY & CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Law Day U.S.A. was established in 1958 by President Eisenhower to strengthen our great heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law. Law Day is officially on May 1; however, the Washington County Bar Association provides educational resources and activities for schools throughout the spring months as part of its “law day season” of programming. In-school speakers and activities can be scheduled through the Bar Association at wcba@washcobar.org of 724-225-6710.
Schools: Our "Time to Adult! Turning 18: Legal Issues in the Real World" is designed to prepare students for the legal rights and responsibilities they will face when they turn 18. HERE is a copy of the 16-page booklet that we distribute to participants, and HERE is more information about the program.
We host a variety of programs in conjunction with Constitution Day, on or around September 17 including "I Read the Constitution!" and "I Signed the Constitution!" K-12 activities and classroom speakers, Naturalization Ceremonies, and more.
For a complete listing of public education programs, view our BROCHURE