Both ASMSU and COGS officially renewed a contract with Jeffries & Newton law firm a few weeks ago, continuing a 29-year relationship.

ASMSU has been offering the service since 1976 and signed their first contract with Jeffries & Newton law firm in 1984, ASMSU President Evan Martinak said.

COGS has been offering the services to graduate and professional students for at least the past 15 years, Fletcher said.

Martinak pointed out MSU was the first of the Big Ten schools to have this service, and now almost all the conference schools offer similar programs.

The free legal services ASMSU and COGS give to students come from each respective organization’s student tax funds.

The law firm provides a wide range of help, from dealing with minor in possession charges to working with landlords on civil infractions, said Miranda Peek, an associate attorney at Jeffries & Newton.

“Most often, right now especially with St. Patrick’s Day, we have a lot of minor in possession charges coming through,” Peek said. “We have DUI’s, a lot of noise violations, especially when it’s warm out and there are outside parties.”

While a majority of the cases involve alcohol-related charges, the legal service also gives advice on credit and debit card debt, how to fight a traffic ticket and renting issues.

The firm will represent students throughout the whole legal process if necessary, but the goal is to get through the case during the pretrial stages, Peek said.

Marketing senior Walter Knapp is one of many MSU students who has benefited from the service.
Knapp found himself in a sticky spot last semester when he received a noise violation during welcome week. Knapp used ASMSU legal services to knock the offense down from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction, which he considered important when it comes time for him to apply for jobs.

“I would definitely recommend it,” Knapp said. “No. 1, it’s free, so what’s the worst thing that can happen? It can only help you out.”