Advocating with Passion and Purpose
DECEMBER 2019
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The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society staff and board would like to wish you and your
loved ones a beautiful holiday season
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Helping the Marion County Prosecutor's Office with Driver's License Reinstatements
Indy Legal Aid recently began partnering with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office regarding driver’s license reinstatement. In Marion County, there are approximately 100,000 Hoosiers with a suspended driver's license. For more than half of these individuals, the suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines.
As you can imagine, the lack of a driver’s license can create a domino effect leading to poverty. Without a driver’s license it may be difficult or impossible to find or retain employment. When this occurs, paying for housing, child support, food, healthcare, etc. becomes insurmountable. Studies have shown that 45% of drivers whose licenses have been suspended, lose their jobs. Forty-five percent of drivers who lose their job, are not able to find another job while their license is suspended.
The loss of a driver's license not only impacts the individual, it also impacts the broader community. For example, an employer must take time to hire and train new employees once an individual leaves due to lack of transportation. The state is also affected because they may have to pay unemployment insurance to former employees. According to Andrea Marsh, the Director of the Richard and Ginni Pro Bono Program at the University of Texas Law, "The negative economic impact and fiscal effects of driver's license suspensions often are highly disproportionate to the dollar amounts of fines and fees owed."
Our attorneys help these folks with their unpaid traffic fines and reinstatement fees that can total thousands of dollars. Indy Legal Aid's goal with the prosecutors office is to serve the individuals who have contacted them to reinstate their licenses and require legal assistance to complete the process. Indy Legal Aid is focused on getting these individuals back on their feet and on the road which not only helps them and their families, but both law enforcement and the courts.
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December Client
Success Story
Indy Legal Aid attorney, Andrea Sneden's client, "Keith", is a Re-Entry Court client living in a substance abuse recovery house in Indianapolis. Keith works in Morgantown. and his driver’s license is suspended.
Andrea said that Keith stood out because he did not drive on a suspended license, but instead paid to take ubers and paid others for rides. Many people continue to drive on a suspended license, even though it’s illegal and can potentially result in additional legal problems. Paying for rides is a large expense for the Keith, given the location of the recovery house and the location of his job. According to Andrea, "Keith also attends court weekly and has to appear for drug screens, so not having a driver’s license is a challenge."
Andrea reviewed Keith's driving record and identified issues that needed to be resolved before he could reinstate his driver’s license. Andrea spoke with the Marion County Prosecutor in traffic court regarding Keith's outstanding tickets in Marion County. The prosecutor agreed that if Keith paid one ticket in Marion County the remaining four would be dismissed. This arrangement saved Keith over $400 in outstanding tickets and removed the cases from his driving record. Keith also owed a reinstatement fee of over $1,000. Once outstanding tickets were resolved, Andrea filed a motion to waive the reinstatement fee for Keith.
Besides cutting his travel expense to get to his job in Morgantown, Keith will now have the opportunity to see his family more often which makes this holiday season very special for him..
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Indy Legal Aid’s
Office Manager Retires
After More Than
60 Years of Service
How many people do you know who have dedicated their entire career to the same organization for 61 years? Indy Legal Aid has been the grateful beneficiary of Jackie Leverenz’s commitment, compassion, and expertise since October 31, 1958.
Jackie’s calm, soft-spoken demeanor was a welcome respite for staff and board members throughout the years and her witty sense of humor was legendary.
“While we are all happy for Jackie that she will now have time for herself, we will miss her tremendously,” said John Floreancig, Indy Legal Aid’s CEO and General Counsel. “Jackie was my ride or die for over 25 years.”
Although Jackie will no longer be at the office every day, she has agreed to be on Indy Legal Aid’s board. Needless to say, we are thrilled with her decision.
To honor Jackie for her legacy to Indy Legal Aid, we have named our board room after her.
The photos on the left are from Jackie’s retirement party that was held on Friday, September 13.
Photos:
#1 Jackie with John Floreancig
#2 Jackie with Indy Legal Aid staff
#3 Jackie and John admiring her plaque
#4 Jackie's plaque
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Indy Legal Aid has a number of volunteer opportunities for attorneys, students, and the general public. For attorneys, we have pro bono cases, internships for students, and our spring and fall events, along with
light office work.
For more information, click
here
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We have several ways for you to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable Hoosiers in Central Indiana. Approximately $.87 of every dollar donated to Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is directly used to provide programs and services. For more information, click
here
.
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615 N Alabama St, Suite 122
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 635 - 9538
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Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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"The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is dedicated to ensuring that qualified low-income persons living in the Central Indiana community have access to quality legal assistance for civil disputes."
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