San Diego Public Law Library Review

I am in the process of filing a claim in court and the law library has helped me find the correct forms.

When I filed a lawsuit without an attorney, the San Diego County Public Law Library on Front Street was so useful that the judge thought I'd had legal assistance. Well, in a way I did--the law librarians were able to show me reference books, self-help books, and legal action guides that took me step by step though unfamiliar and quite complicated processes. In fact, in one of my pleadings where I needed to use specific language, I noted clearly on the second page the author and title of the book where I'd found the necessary wording. Unfortunately I drew a biased judge who never bothered to read the products of my months of legal research, having made up his mind beforehand, but the same thing can happen to people who are able to afford thousands of dollars for attorneys.

If you have a legal problem and can't afford assistance, but are capable of doing your own research and writing, the San Diego County Public Law Library will help you find the books you need. While our legal system leaves much to be desired, having nothing in common with a justice system, our law library can help navigate the halls of injustice with minimum damage. For legal research, they have the necessary resources and the brilliant librarians can help you find what you need. Best of all, unless you need to borrow books (borrowing required a $50 annual borrowers' fee for non-attorneys, and a higher fee for attorneys), use of the library is free. That gives you access to all their books and their computers, plus free classes that explain how to use their computerized legal data bases. If you join their mailing list, you'll also be notified of special hour-long classes that cost $25, on specific legal topics that lawyers need to stay current on the law and non-lawyers might find interesting or useful.

Yes, we seem to be living in a police state, where the powerful are often too eager to deny us our rights, but we also have a law library designed to help us defend ourselves. I've met people at the law library who defended themselves and won, so not everyone is as unlucky as I was. This library is a tremendous public resource and deserves more funding and appreciation. There aren't enough stars to do it justice.

I ve never been to a public library that charges for WiFi and use of electricity. A terrible disservice to those living on a fixed income, underserved members of the community, and students.

I've been using legal research materials and typing legal forms at this law library quite often the past four years. The library desk staff and librarians are very professional, knowledgeable, and always friendly. They know right where to direct you for research in all areas of law. There is a large computer center where anyone can fill out their own court forms and documents free and then you pay just to print out your forms. This law library is very beautiful, modern, and is kept very clean. It's also very quiet.

Seems like a great library, I was just there for a wedding and it acts as a rad venue. Awesome view of the city and a large enough area for a sizable reception.

They kick you out when nobody is complaining...but whatever.

The staff is knowledgeable and always friendly; everything is kept neat and clean; and it is my favorite place to spend time with my nose in a book! San Diego needs to find a way to open another law library.

Very nice, quiet place to get legal work and research done.