ASK A LAWYER

SERVICES

ABOUT

GOVERNING BOARD

Location & Hours of Operation:

Okaloosa Courthouse Annex Extension	Hours:
1940 Lewis Turner Blvd., Rm 2-002	Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547	closed for lunch 12 - 1
850-651-7256	Friday   8:30 am - 12 pm

 

           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 pro-se litigants in Okaloosa County can meet with a local volunteer attorney for a 30 minute 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.  If you have an attorney for your legal matter, please consult with your attorney.  ALP is held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, but clinic dates may change due to attorney availability and court holidays. Consultations are held by Zoom and you must pre-register for the clinic by submitting a signed request form. Consultations are scheduled in order that signed Request forms are received.

  

The next ALP clinic is scheduled for November 30, 2023. Please email your request to lawlibrary@myokaloosa.com

                                                                                          

Please click here to for the ALP Request form.  Please return the completed signed form via email or you may hand drop it off at the Law Library.

Consultations may include:

• Small Claims
• Landlord/Tenant
• Debt Collection
• 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, traffic, appellate, juvenile, Federal, guardianship or mental health issues.

 

No recordings, visual or audio, of your consultation with the volunteer attorney are permitted.

To request a consultation:

• Fill out your ALP Consultation Request Form
• Return your completed and signed form to the Law Library. You may sign the form digitally and return it by email attachment to lawlibrary@myokaloosa.com or you may bring it by the Law Library during normal business hours.

To prepare for your consultation:

• 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.

 

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, Credit or Debit Card

**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:

Westlaw Proflex - State and Federal primary law materials

 

NOTARY:

Notary services are available for a fee of $5 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 Grimsley 909 Mar Walt Dr., Suite. 1010 Fort Walton Beach, FL  32547 (850) 863-4064
Members:	Stephanie Ockunzzi, Esq. SOS Law Firm, PLLC 981 Hwy 98 E STE 3 #267 Destin, FL 32541 (85) 460-1722

***PLEASE NOTE***

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