GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC SERVICES JUSTICE DIRECTORY LAW LIBRARY Welcome to the Judge Myrlin O. Johnson Law Library The Cameron County Law Library’s mission is to provide access to legal information to the citizens of Cameron County in ways that are reliable, efficient, respectful, innovative and economical. LOCATION & HOURS Oscar Dancy Building 1100 E. Monroe St. (956) 544-0824 Brownsville, Texas 78520 (956) 982-5421 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Staff: Law Librarian: Monica Guerrero Assistant Librarian: Graciela Longoria SERVICES The Law Library has a wide collection of legal books that include a variety of paper and electronic resources, which explain the application of state and federal law and court decisions, as well as various formbooks. Only attorneys are allowed to check out books and they have to be returned in (2) days. *LEGAL ADVICE CAN NOT BE GIVEN BY THE LIBRARIAN(S) However, the librarian(s) can direct you to the materials that may be helpful in finding your answers and show you how to use the materials. LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT The Law Library has (2) computers that are available to the public. There is no fee to use the computers and Internet. LAW LIBRARY RULES FOR THE PUBLIC The Law Library is intended for use by persons engaged in law-related research. The purpose of these rules is to ensure the Law Library patrons are provided a pleasant atmosphere which facilitates the performances of legal research. Everyone entering the Law Library must sign the sign-in log at the front desk located by the entrance. With the current circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, the Law Library is requiring all patrons to follow state and county safety guidelines. PATRONS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE MASKS AND MAINTAIN A SOCIAL DISTANCE OF 6 FEET WHEN VISITING THE LAW LIBRARY. Please visit the Cameron County Covid-19 webpage for more information. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of the public law library while in the Law Library. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, or using the Law Library materials may be required to leave the premises. All computer users must sign-in at the workstation before using the computers. The Law Library provides computers to aid patrons in their legal research. Use of the computers to play games, view offensive materials, or other non-law related uses is not allowed and may lead to the patron being asked to leave or restricted from using the computers. Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons. Patrons shall not harass or annoy other patrons, or otherwise behave in a manner which may be reasonably expected to disturb others. To avoid disturbing other Law Library patrons, patrons shall observe silence except when requesting assistance from the desk reference staff. Loud noise and profane language will not be tolerated. Patrons who need to converse must do so quietly so as to not disturb others. Patrons shall not attempt to make repairs to the Law Library computers or equipment. Patrons should instead ask staff for assistance. Patrons shall not write in, damage, or mark on Law Library books or other Law Library property. Doing so will be considered destruction of County property and will be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law. Patrons shall not remove pages or books from the Law Library. Doing so will be considered theft of County property and will be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law. Selling and solicitation are prohibited in the Law Library. Sleeping is prohibited in the Law Library. Unattended children are not allowed in the Law Library. In the event that a child is left unattended, Law Library staff shall notify the Cameron County Sheriff’s office. Any adult who brings a child into the Law Library must supervise and monitor the child’s behavior at all times. Food and beverages may not be brought into or consumed in the Law Library. No smoking or tobacco products are allowed in the Library. Because ringtones can be loud, patrons’ cell phone must be set to “vibrate” or turned off. Any call should be made outside the Law Library as telephone conversations could disrupt the concentration of other patrons. Patrons who receive a cell phone call should step outside the Law Library to hold the conversation. Laptops may be plugged in to draw AC power. The volume on all laptops must be set to “mute.” Patron’s personal belongings should fit neatly under the table and may not take up so much space as to deny other patrons a seating opportunity at the same table. Suitcases, bedrolls, and blankets are not permitted in the Law Library. Any patron, as well as the personal belongings of any patron, emanating an odor (including cologne or perfume) constituting a nuisance to other patrons may be asked to leave the Law Library. To ensure all patrons have access to a safe, non-disruptive place to conduct legal research, these rules are strictly enforced. Any violation of these rules may result in the responsible patron being asked to leave the Law Library until such a time as the patron, in the reasonable opinion of the Law Library staff, is able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to comply with these rules. The Law Library staff, along with the Cameron County Sheriff and their respective deputies, and other peace officers shall be authorized to remove any patron who violates any of these rules from the Law Library. Viewing of any illegal, obscene or offensive material will be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law. Please note that the library staff is here to help and assist but NOT to do work for you. By opting to represent yourself, it is your responsibility to research and prepare any and all legal documents necessary for your case. LINKS Texas Bar Lexis West Law TexasLawHelp.org 2020 Copyright Cameron County