Hays County Law Library

Hays County Government Center

712 South Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2026

San Marcos, Tx 78666

Effective March 6, 2013:

Law Library Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Law Librarian Hours: Monday – Friday  8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Melody Barron, Law Librarian

512-393-7709

Melody.barron@co.hays.tx.us

The Hays County Law Library is operated as a public service for residents of Hays County. The library is designed for members of the general public who are interested in learning more about the law in order to represent themselves in court and for attorneys to conduct legal research. The library is paid for through a portion of civil courts costs dedicated to the operation of the library, per Local Government Code 323.023.

A Law librarian is generally available Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and then from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Not available 10:30am – 3:00pm) The Law Librarian can assist users in finding legal print or online resources. By law, the law librarian cannot give legal advice, draft information, translate, or assist in filling out forms. Forms for filing cases are available in the library.

Reference materials available in the Law Library include Black’s Law Dictionary, Texas Case Law, Texas local codes and ordinances, general and specialty books and law-related periodicals. Items may not be removed from the library.

Computer in the library have access to Westlaw legal research as well as internet access. Use of the computers and free Wi-Fi in the library, are limited to legal research only and may not be used for general internet access. There is no charge for computer use.

A printer and copy machine is available for attorneys and public use. Print and copies are $0.15 per page. This machine only accepts cash or coins.

Helpful Links:

Hays County District online forms: http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/justice-system-courts/district-clerk/

Hays County County Clerk online forms: http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/government/county-clerk-documents-for-download/

Texas State Law Library: http://www.sll.state.tx.us/

Texas Constitution and Law: http://www.statues.legis.state.tx.us/

Hays County Dispute Resolution Center: http://www.hcdrc.org/

Texas Law Help (Civil Law): www.texaslawhelp.org

Texas Lawyer Referral Service: http://www.austinlrs.org/

State Bar of Texas – Free Legal Information for the Public (English y Español): http://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Free_Legal_Information

Texas State University – Students seeking legal advice can also contact the University Legal Department to discuss civil and criminal matters: http://attorney.dos.txstate.edu/

Hays County Pro Bono Divorce Clinic is a program of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc., which serves Hays County. Forms for the Divorce Clinic are available at the Law Library.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.: http://www.trla.org/

*The library is open to the general public except for official County holidays. Members of the Hays County Bar Association can check out the key to the library, when the librarian is out, by presenting a driver license to the receptionist at the District Attorney’s Office (Suite 2057). The driver license will be returned when they key is given back to the receptionist.