
The American Samoa Legal Aid (ASLA) announces that its four ASLA stations at Faleasao, Fitiuta, Ofu and Olosega in Manu’a have been established.
A Technology Initiative Grant from the Legal Services Corporation helped fund the Manu’a Islands Access to Legal Aid Project which assists low income Manu’a residents to access free civil legal aid services provided by the ASLA Office at Pago Pago, Tutuila.
The Manu’a ASLA stations are located at the CCCAS Faleasao Hall (for Faleasao and Ta’u village residents), Assembly of God Fitiuta Minister’s Office, CCCAS Ofu Hall, and CCCAS Olosega Minister’s Office (for Olosega and Sili village residents).
Each of the four Manu’a ASLA stations has a table with chairs, landline telephone, desktop computer with internet service, printer with copier and scanner functions, and an electronic signature pad.
ASLA Executive Director Fainu’ulelei L.P.F. Ala’ilima-Utu, says Manu’a residents who wish to obtain civil legal services from the ASLA Office at Tutuila should ask the relevant pastor at the Manu’a ASLA station for permission to use the ASLA station.
The applicant will sign a sign-up sheet and be required to do an intake with an ASLA paralegal to determine if the applicant meets the citizenship, financial and priorities eligibility criteria for ASLA’s free civil legal services.
An applicant who is eligible and whose case is accepted by the ASLA Office can use the station to discuss the client’s case on Skype with an ASLA attorney or paralegal and if appropriate print, sign, scan, send or receive by email etc. the client’s case documents.
This will allow the ASLA client to remain in Manu’a and not be required to expend funds and time to physically travel to the ASLA Office at Tutuila for case interviews and processing of case documents.
The ASLA TIG grant pays for the internet service fees, telephone service fees, equipment, office space fees etc. during the grant period.
Alailima-Uta says the four pastors have kindly volunteered to oversee each of the Manu’a ASLA stations as part of their ministries.
Further information on the Manu’a ASLA stations may be obtained from the ASLA Office, 633-3300/3301.