Pro bono attorneys and lay volunteers serve as advocates for children in the juvenile, criminal and domestic relations division of the circuit court. The majority of cases involve abused, abandoned, and neglected children who are the subject of juvenile dependency cases. GALs are appointed in domestic relations cases involving divorce, paternity, and post judgment disputes. Currently over 4500 children in Orange County are represented through the GAL Program. Approximately 300 attorneys and 80 lay volunteers participate.
Manuals are available.
A variety of housing and housing related cases are referred. There are also disputes over conditions of the rental unit, mortgage foreclosures, boundary disputes, fraudulent transfers, all related to the homestead of the client. About 150 housing cases were referred in 1999. A special will panel provides simple wills and related documents to persons with AIDS, ARC and who are HIV positive. Attorneys interview clients at support groups such as AIDS Resource Alliance, Hope and Help.