College is a time when young people are perhaps exposed to the highest potential to need legal assistance that they have encountered in their lives. The chances of facing legal trouble are heightened due to our newfound autonomy paired with the potential to engage in illegal activities such as underage drinking. Fortunately, NC State offers its students free legal counsel through the Student Legal Services.
As highlighted in an earlier Technician news article, “Student Legal Services aim to confidentially advise and counsel students on legal matters in order to maintain a safe educational environment.” Perhaps the most appealing part of this claim by SLS is their commitment to keeping matters confidential between the student and the attorneys. A student could come to access this free resource without fear of having the information released to family members or even the university.
Arguably the most valuable service that SLS provides to students is the wealth of information they give to students through their online pamphlets and legal podcasts. The SLS website gives great information on the landlord/tenant legal issues that may arise for students. With 59 percent of NC State students living off campus, this information can be invaluable to many students.
An equally valuable source of information that Student Legal Services holds on their website is a guide telling students what to do in interactions with the police. Students, such as myself, who have never had any interactions with police would likely be overwhelmed the first time a police officer stops them. In the “Interacting With a Police Officer” SLS informs students of well-known rights they have from the right to remain silent to perhaps less common information, such as the fact that individuals have the right to leave the situation if they are not under arrest.
Student Legal Services can provide invaluable help to international students who are not United States citizens, and who may not have as much information about the U.S. legal system. Because the service only requires its users to be registered as NC State students, all international students should have access to this resource. Even if immediate attorney attention is not needed, these students can still inform themselves on the American legal system through the resources on the SLS website, or even through advice from one of the attorneys.
Student Legal Services could be an even bigger advantage to students at NC State if they employed students looking for a career in law to assist them in day-to-day activities. Many prelaw students at NC State would be honored to have the chance to work for attorneys, especially with their workplace being on campus.
Of course, students would not be able to be involved in helping the attorneys deal with student legal issues as this would break the vow of confidentiality; however, student action in less direct capacities could prove to be incredible opportunities for legal-minded students on campus. They would be able to receive great law experience and vocational knowledge, while also easing the workload on the attorneys at Student Legal Services.
