ASK A LAWYER

SERVICES

ABOUT

GOVERNING BOARD

***COVID-19 NOTICE***

To ensure that social distancing may be maintained, no more that two patrons at one time will be allowed to use the Law Librry.  Priority is given to patrons that schedule an appointment.

Location & Hours of Operation:

          The Law Library will be CLOSED from March 5th, 8 am through March 9th at 1 pm.

Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension	Monday - Friday
1940 Lewis Turner Blvd., Rm 2-002	8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547	Closed 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
850-651-7256

 

Limited Hours:

Due to budget constraints, the library hours may be altered when staff is off. Scheduled closings are posted in advance. Please call to confirm hours.

Ask A Lawyer Program:

The Ask A Lawyer program (ALP) is a collaborative effort with the Okaloosa Bar Association whereby patrons can set a 30-minute Zoom appointment to meet with a local attorney for a one-time consultation to get answers to a variety of civil legal questions, assistance with filling out form packets, as well as general procedural information. Please click here to request your appointment for the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each Month. 

Consultations may include:

• Small Claims
• Landlord/Tenant
• Debt Collection/Bankruptcy
• Contracts/Warranties
• Limited Family Law Assistance, such as Time Sharing, Division of Property, Dissolution of Marriage, Child Support, or Alimony
• Assistance filling out form packets
• General procedural information

Legal Consultations will not be provided for criminal, juvenile, guardianship or mental health issues.

To prepare for your consultation:

• Fill out your ALP Consultation Request Form
• Return your completed and signed form to the Law Library or email to lawlibrary@myokaloosa.com
• Have a list of specific questions for the attorney to answer
• Have all relevant paperwork with you at the appointment
• Organize your paperwork by date and time
• Identify all deadlines
• Call The Public Law Library at 850-651-7256 or email lawlibrary@myokaloosa.com with questions.

Consultations are currently being held by Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Please click here to open the ALP Consultation Request form.

ALP is a limited legal advice service and should not be considered a substitute for representation. If you need an attorney to represent you, contact the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011.

Services Available:

Resources:

The following resources are available in the Law Library:

• The Law Library maintains a collection of current Florida Statutes, Rules and Case Law in bound volumes. Computer access with Microsoft Word, internet and print capabilities
• Free on-site access to Westlaw Database 
• Free Wi-Fi access provided throughout the courthouse
• Copy Machine: The library has one self-serve coin-operated copy machine that patrons may use for copying material. *Copies are .25 per page; the vending machine takes quarters, nickels, dimes, and one dollar bills only.  Copier prints in black and white only.
• Access to public computers on a first come, first serve basis.
• Printing is also available from the public access computers.  *Copies are .25 per page.
• A quiet work and reading area.

*The Law Library accepts CASH ONLY and is not able to provide change.

**PRINT COLLECTION INCLUDES:

• Florida Cases (1846 - 1982)
• Florida Jur 2nd
• Florida Laws and Statutes (1986 - current)
• Florida Statutes Annotated
• Florida Pleading & Practice Forms
• Florida Business & Legal Forms
• Florida Bar CLE Publications on various topics
• Legal Topics Treatises

**The Law Library is a reference library.  All material from the "Print Collection" may not be checked out or removed from the library.

ONLINE RESEARCH DATABASE:

Access to state and federal primary law material through WestlawNext public access.

 

NOTARY:

Notary services are availabel for a fee of $3 per stamp.

Staff Assistance:

Staff is available to direct you to material in the print collection and the online database which will assist you with your legal questions. Limited instructions are provided on how to use the various resources available in the Law Library and at the public access computers.

Library staff can:

• Direct you to sources of law, including statutes, cases, and forms
• Explain how to use the books and other resources
• Refer programs and services that may assist you

Library staff cannot:

• Interpret statutes and cases
• Determine the correct form to be used
• Assist with filling out forms
• Review forms for accuracy
• Refer a specific attorney

CLE's:

The Law Library maintains a collection of Florida Bar CLE material which may be checked out by members of the Bar Association.

About

In 1967 a Special Act by the Florida Legislature created the Okaloosa County Law Library.  The Special Act "provides for the establishment and maintenance of a central library for the use of county officials and the judges and offices of the several courts; declaring same to be a public need and for a general county purpose” (Ch. 67-1787 Laws of Florida, as amended 89-416).

The Okaloosa Law Library is committed to providing equal access to the courts for the legal community and the general public. The Law Library is committed to serving the public, self-represented litigants, and the legal community by providing access to legal material in both print and electronic format.

The Law Library is governed by a statutorily created five member Board of Trustees: the Administrative Judge, a County Commissioner, the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, and two private attorneys. As a public entity, the Law Library advertises its Board meetings in compliance with the Florida Sunshine Laws. Law Library meetings are open to the public.

Board of Trustees:

Chairman:	Honorable William F. Stone Okaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension 1940 N. Lewis Turner Blvd. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 609-5414
Members:	J.D. Peacock Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension 1940 N. Lewis Turner Blvd. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 651-7200
Members:	Robert A. "Trey" Goodwin Okaloosa Board of County Commissioner Okaloosa County Administration Building 1250 North Eglin Parkway Shalimar, FL  32579 (850) 651-7142
Members:	Timothy W. Shaw, Esq. Anchors Smith Grinsley 909 Mar Walt Dr., Suite. 1010 Fort Walton Beach, FL  32547 (850) 863-4064
Members:	Stephanie Ockunzzi, Esq. Legal Services of North Florida 133 Staff Drive, Suite B Fort Walton Beach, FL  32548 (850) 862-3279

***PLEASE NOTE***

The Law Library is not authorized to answer any legal questions, give legal advice, recommend legal forms or give lawyer referrals.