Should I Help People In Legal Need?

I was just wonder if I should volunteer my services as one. I'm serious. I'm not planning on breaking the law anytime soon. But could I just volunteer as a "jailhouse lawyer", as they're called?

Because I have accumulated a lot of knowledge on the subject of law. Starting in the 8th grade, and continuing when I got a law dictionary (see below) in 1995.

Anyways I'll give you all a small example of my law knowledge. That piece on treason largely came from my memory. The only thing I got from the internet is the text from the constitution.

Also, I think the following is more to the point (I'm really not that sure I'd like to be a jailhouse lawyer). Here:

Law Dictionary Seventh Edition by Steven H. Gifis ISBN 10: 0812020855 You know, as I said, I got this in 1995. And I think I must've almost read it cover to cover, at least the legal terms (who cares about copyright law, etc.). It is so simple and concise, he always cites precedent and example (you'd be surprised how many law dictionaries don't) and farnkly, I have always loved this book.

Then there's The Court TV Cradle-to-Grave Legal Survival Guide that I also bought around the same time, ISBN-10: 0316036633, ISBN-13: 978-0316036634 (I have no idea what all these ISBN numbers mean BTW, I just hastily got them off the internet). It's written for the common man, it covers just about every topic, and I swear, it's written on a third grade level.

Anyways, I was thinking of donating those two books to the 8th precinct in Detroit, near where I live. Does anyone think I should? I am not sure if I should offer my legal counsel. But you know, donating it to the 8th precinct would be much easier to do. And maybe the inmates there need it. It's a rather small precinct, and I don't know what they have there that would be considered a law library for those held there. Would this count as a law library? And should I attempt to donate it there? I think they could use it.

As I said, I'd welcome all advice on the matter .

 

Unless you're an attorney licensed to practice in that state, no; you shouldn't.
"Jailhouse lawyer" is a derogatory term for an inmate in a correctional facility that has read just enough statutory law to file often frivolous appeals pursuant to their 6th Amendment right to self-representation.

 

I think the books should be donated to a library, not to the police, who don't bother to read those things, and probably won't hand them out to fresh arrestees.

No you can't be giving legal advice. Screw up and you'll be sued. You can however volunteer at a law office. But you'll be the bottom lackey until you can prove you know more than the other lackeys.

Hey, I wonder if A.I. will soon replace lawyers and maybe even judges!

 

Well, just to be clear, I don't think I'd donate physical effort anymore, because among other things I am much older now, and even have mobility issues.

But you know the great thing about the other thing is, it's so easy to do. I could just get the books off Amazon, and wouldn't even have to deliver them myself, just have Amazon do it.

I do wonder a lot about a law library at the 8th precinct, because as I said, they're so small. Do they have a law library even? But you know, it's so sad what some people go thru in the criminal justice system. Some of them should be locked away, I've always agreed. But you know, they're the last people, anyone would ever help. So they probably need it the most. Think about that fact too.

 

the short answer is NO.
the slightly longer answer depends on what you mean by "helping"

law firms do hire assistants, but, you need to be ready to spend an eternity doing donkey work, which is what real lawering consists 90% of.
and it would help to take a couple of college law classes to get a feel for this.

briefs require a cover letter for every piece of evidence submitted. this can be boiler plate, but don't forget to change all the parts that need to be.

there may be other ways in which one can "help", but unless you're willing to spend for ever looking up every precident that might apply,
it is questionable at best, that you'd be doing more good then harm.