Court Debt Relief and Driver’s License Recovery with Texas Fair Defense Project (TFDP)

Students will assist individuals with driver’s license holds related to unpaid criminal justice debt. Students will research the cause(s) of license suspensions and explain to applicants the steps drivers must take to recover their licenses. In most cases, the first step to driver’s license recovery will involve obtaining a fee waiver, fee reduction, or alternative payment plan. In those cases, volunteers will help individuals complete financial affidavits and/or other documents to help applicants advocate for themselves. The applicants will be in Dallas, and student volunteers and supervising attorneys will participate via videoconferencing.

Organization

Texas Fair Defense Project

The Texas Fair Defense Project’s mission is to fight to end the criminalization of poverty in Texas. TFDP envisions a system of justice that upholds the dignity and civil rights of all people, regardless of income, race, or gender. TFDP provides direct assistance in the areas of criminal record clearing, driver’s license restoration, and access to counsel.

Project Details

Project Date

Thursday, February 8

Project Time
5pm-8pm
Approximate hours of work requested
4 hours, including training
Training
Tuesday, February 6, 12pm-1pm (Zoom) (training will be recorded for volunteers who are unable to attend the live virtual training session)
Skills used
Client communication; records research; document preparation/review; written advocacy
Project location
Virtual
Number of student volunteers requested
6
Class year preference
1L, 2L, 3L, LLM