Mission & History
Mission:
Centro Legal works to provide affordable legal representation in family law and criminal misdemeanors to Milwaukee families so they may maintain stable homes and remain employed in the face of legal difficulties.
History:
Centro Legal was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. Our areas of legal practice have changed over the years; today we serve clients in family law and criminal misdemeanor defense cases. Clients are charged for Centro Legal services using a sliding-scale fee based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines. We believe this “shared responsibility“ encourages clients to hold attorneys, the legal system and themselves accountable for better case outcomes. Our model uniquely enables us to preserve the dignity and self-worth that are critical to our clients’ ability to move up the poverty continuum. This means a better resolved legal crisis that is less likely to come back to the Courts for modification or enforcement.
New in 2007:
Domestic Abuse Services
Funding from the United Way allowed Centro Legal to begin offering specialized services to victims of family violence. We offer assistance when survivors are ready to make changes for their families. Our attorneys assist victims of abuse through divorces and cases involving custody and placement matters. We also serve clients seeking domestic abuse restraining orders.
Restorative Justice Services
Centro Legal attorneys began participating in the Milwaukee County Diversion Work Group and served clients in Diversion agreements in 2007. Diversions are agreements between the District Attorney and criminal defendants. The District Attorney agrees to not issue criminal charges if the defendant completes required AODA or mental health treatment, stays sober, and does not pick up any new criminal charges for the duration of the agreement. Centro Legal represented ten defendants participating in the Pilot Diversion Program in 2007.