For more information, contact Cindy Young, (937) 775-3232.

January 12, 2000

WRIGHT STATE OFFERS STUDENTS
LOW-COST LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic tickets, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims cases can be time-consuming and expensive to settle. College students are often taken advantage of when they attempt to deal with these matters. At Wright State University, students may now receive low-cost legal assistance for a variety of cases through the university's Student Legal Services program. Begun in January, the Student Legal Services program is open to any Wright State student for a fee of $6 per quarter. Attorney Michael Booher is on campus full-time to advise students on specific legal problems and to represent students in judicial and/or administrative proceedings.

Student Legal Services, Inc., has contracted with the university to administer the program. WSU's service is patterned after a similar program at Bowling Green State University. During his first four days at Wright State, Booher says he saw 20 clients with problems that included consumer law, lawsuits, divorce proceedings and more.

Booher says the variety of cases "is pretty much what I expected. A student today is involved in far more sophisticated transactions than students of a generation ago."

Problems between landlords and their student tenants are common. These include lease provisions and return of security deposits. According to Booher, "The landlord-tenant law is full of booby traps for both the landlord and the tenant."

Student Legal Services will handle all misdemeanor criminal matters, which includes underage drinking, public intoxication and most traffic offenses. Booher will draft a will for a student, or represent him or her in small claims court. The program does not cover felony crimes, but in those cases a student may be referred to appropriate legal counsel.