Legal Information vs. Legal Advice

Legal Information vs. Legal Advice

People often ask law libraries or court staff for legal advice or help with a particular legal issue. They are often confused when they are told that staff can't provide legal advice. What does "legal advice" mean?

Examples of legal advice include recommending steps to take in order to solve a legal problem, determining whether a situation or behavior is legal or illegal, explaining how a contract or legal document applies to your situation, and providing relevant case law.

Only a lawyer can provide legal advice. Giving legal advice without having a Texas attorney's license may be “the unauthorized practice of law.” This is prohibited under Texas law.

Librarians, court clerks, and court staff can only provide legal information. Examples of legal information might include helping you research a legal question, pointing you to specific state, federal, or local laws, connecting you with resources on legal topics, and providing definitions of legal terms.

Librarians are happy to provide you with legal information. If you need legal advice on a specific issue, you should talk to an attorney.