Legal Assistance & Re-Entry Programs
Misdemeanor & Felony-Friendly Jobs ~ 70 Million Jobs
70 Million Jobs will connect you with great companies that offer second chance jobs for people with criminal records. No cost to you.
Questions:
Missoula Self Help Law Center
1535 Liberty Lane, Suite 110D, Missoula, mtlsa.org
(406) 258-3428
If you are in need of assistance, or would like to provide resources for our center, please email missoulaselfhelp@gmail.com
Missoula Veterans Court & Veteran Mentor Program ~ Treatment and Mentoring (justiceforvets.org)
Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula
Call for Initial Intake - Veterans Court: Rick Reed - MSW, Missoula Veterans Court Coordinator, (406) 258-4726, Richard.Reed@mt.gov
Veteran Mentors: Free training is designed for any Veteran who would like to volunteer 4-6 hours per month to assist a Veteran involved in the criminal justice system. Topics to be addressed include: The Role of Veterans Court Mentors; Overview of Missoula Veterans Court and Missoula’s Criminal Court Systems; Cultural Competency and Overview of Veterans’ Services.
Justice for Vets: https://justiceforvets.org/
Questions: Brenda Desmond, Fourth Judicial District Standing Master, (406) 258-4728,
Montana DLI ~ Job Service Re-Entry Program
Job Service - Missoula (employmissoula.com), 539 S. 3rd St. W., Msla
Ask for the Workforce Consultants that specialize in providing job search resources for clients w/a criminal record.
Montana’s Job Hunting Guide for Montanans with Criminal Records: https://cor.mt.gov/Portals/104/Reentry/jobhunting.pdf
Questions: (406) 728-7060
Montana Legal Services Association (MTLSA)
APPLY: www.MTLSA.org
Or, Visit the Veterans & Military section of www.MontanaLawHelp.org.
MLSA is a private, non-profit law firm, that provides non-criminal legal information, advice, and representation to Montanans. Their services help “fight scams on seniors, assist Veterans who have been denied benefits, help people escape abusive relationships, and represent families living in unsafe housing conditions”
Questions: 1-800-666-6899 (Option 5)
Stateside Legal: If you received a discharge that was other than Honorable, a discharge upgrade can help you access important VA benefits, services, and care. Or you may feel that your discharge was not fair and you want to correct it. Any veteran who has a discharge other than Honorable can apply for an upgrade. You do not need an attorney to apply for a discharge upgrade.
Discharge Upgrades: https://statesidelegal.org/cm-discharge-upgrade-glossary#Kurta%20Memo
“Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Discharge Upgrade”: https://statesidelegal.org/step-step-guide-how-apply-discharge-upgrade
Questions: Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) provides free civil legal help to eligible clients. MLSA may be able to refer you to a volunteer attorney for help with a discharge upgrade. You can apply online at mtlsa.org [mtlsa.org] or by calling our Helpline at 1-800-666-6899, Monday through Friday, 9am to 1pm.
Montana Veterans Treatment Court Laws Revision Act
https://legiscan.com/MT/text/SB85/2019
Enacted April 1, 2019 ~ Montana’s revisions call for all detention centers to record the veteran status of all detainees if located in the same county as a VTC. This information is then sent to the local VTC, which now has legal responsibility to inform detained veterans about the program and their eligibility.
National Drug Court Resource, Policy, and Evidence-Based Practice Center ~ Justice Programs Office
ndcrc.org
Strives to provide practitioners and professionals working in the drug court field with current resources and upcoming events.
Questions: ndcrc@american.edu
Partners for Reintegration (PFR)
Missoula - Coalition of local agencies, faith congregations, service providers and community volunteers, including previously incarcerated individuals, working in partnership with the Department of Corrections to help returning citizens reintegrate from incarceration back into the Missoula community.
Questions: pfrmissoula@pfrmt.org
Stateside Legal
User Guide for website: http://statesidelegal.org/userguide
FREE online information, self-help tools and referrals for Veterans, service members, their families and advocates.
Questions:
UM Law School Clinic Directory
https://www.umt.edu/law/academics/clinics/clinic-directory.php
Questions: Alexander Blewett III School of Law, University of Montana, (406) 243-4311
VA Veterans Justice Outreach
“A Guidebook for Incarcerated Veterans” (Click link and then Montana): http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/Reentry_Guides.asp
Justice and Reentry-Related Services ~ VA Veterans Justice Outreach Program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp
Questions - Montana: Jackie Merritt, LCSW, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist, VA Montana Health Care System - Fort Harrison, (406) 447-6021, jackie.merritt@va.gov
Veterans Advocacy Clinic ~ FREE for Low Income Veterans)
The Veterans Advocacy Clinic at the School of Law has been partnering with the State Bar Veterans Law Section to train lawyers in the military discharge upgrade process. Interested veterans or service providers can email VeteransAdvClinic@mso.umt.edu
The Veterans Advocacy Clinic provides pro bono legal advocacy to Veterans and their families in Montana.
VA claims for service-connected disability benefits, increased disability rating, applications for discharge upgrade, and consultation with practitioners on various legal issues for Veterans.
Questions: Hillary Wandler, Professor & Director, Alexander Blewett III School of Law, Clinic Wing, Room 110, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr., Msla, (406) 243-6788, hillary.wandler@umontana.edu
Hillary - UM LAW Faculty:
http://www.umt.edu/law/faculty/directory/default.php?ID=3224
Schedule an Appointment: https://calendly.com/hillary-wandler
Veterans Justice and Mental Health (VJMH) ~ Justice Programs Office at American University
https://www.american.edu/spa/jpo/
Questions: justice@american.edu