Grace_Adler
Senior Member
What is the name of your state? NC
Ok, I don't know where to post this. I thought this place would be as good as any since it gets a lot of traffic and it's the main board I stay on.
I think the only ones who are going to be able to give me accurate answers are the attorneys on the board. I really need them to be accurate before I go running my mouth to anyone. LOL
I don't know if I'm going to get this across the way I want so please bear with me.
I was wondering (there I go again) are there statutes stating that people or if it is just certain groups of people can't give out legal advice? Or is it an ethical thing?
I mean, sometimes when I ask, for instance, a paralegal or the clerk of court, things, they respond by saying they can't tell me because they aren't allowed to give out legal advice. (Which I've heard of before but never really understood where the line is between giving out information and advice.) Now, not all of them tell me this. Sometimes other paralegals will give me the information I need or if I go to the clerk's office in person, they will usually help me but won't over the phone. I thought the questions I asked were general and public information. For example, asking them what forms I need for something and their procedure for handling something. I thought that would be considered public information and general type of stuff.
So who is allowed to tell you what? What can people tell you and what can't they tell you? What is considered "legal advice"? What is considered "public information"?
I just want to know so the next time I need information, I can tell them what they can and can't tell me so I can get what I need because personally I think people get a little paranoid and go overboard with this "I can't give out legal advice." stuff and are sometimes just too lazy to try and help. JMO
Also, why is it we are allowed to give out legal advice on here if in fact, people aren't allowed to do so?
One last question.. Are attorneys the only ones that are legally allowed to represent someone in court? The reason I ask is because once in district court, the judge let a man's wife represent him. The judge seemed to get a kick out of it and even ruled in their favor.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Ok, I don't know where to post this. I thought this place would be as good as any since it gets a lot of traffic and it's the main board I stay on.
I think the only ones who are going to be able to give me accurate answers are the attorneys on the board. I really need them to be accurate before I go running my mouth to anyone. LOL
I don't know if I'm going to get this across the way I want so please bear with me.
I was wondering (there I go again) are there statutes stating that people or if it is just certain groups of people can't give out legal advice? Or is it an ethical thing?
I mean, sometimes when I ask, for instance, a paralegal or the clerk of court, things, they respond by saying they can't tell me because they aren't allowed to give out legal advice. (Which I've heard of before but never really understood where the line is between giving out information and advice.) Now, not all of them tell me this. Sometimes other paralegals will give me the information I need or if I go to the clerk's office in person, they will usually help me but won't over the phone. I thought the questions I asked were general and public information. For example, asking them what forms I need for something and their procedure for handling something. I thought that would be considered public information and general type of stuff.
So who is allowed to tell you what? What can people tell you and what can't they tell you? What is considered "legal advice"? What is considered "public information"?
I just want to know so the next time I need information, I can tell them what they can and can't tell me so I can get what I need because personally I think people get a little paranoid and go overboard with this "I can't give out legal advice." stuff and are sometimes just too lazy to try and help. JMO
Also, why is it we are allowed to give out legal advice on here if in fact, people aren't allowed to do so?
One last question.. Are attorneys the only ones that are legally allowed to represent someone in court? The reason I ask is because once in district court, the judge let a man's wife represent him. The judge seemed to get a kick out of it and even ruled in their favor.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
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