The pro bono legal clinic created by the Student Government Association will reopen in October in the Center for Professional and Personal Ethics with more attorneys to offer free advice to students.

The clinic was created in March and has been closed since last semester's end in early May.

"Moving the legal center to the Ethics center will give it more room to grow," said SGA President Vince Cavataio. "It wasn’t used to its maximum potential last year."

While open, the clinic only attracted about four students a month, said Christopher Armelagos, pro bono legal director.

The clinic was formerly located in the SGA office, and there were only two attorneys available; four confirmed so far this year.

“By getting more attorneys, the clinic will be able to offer more appointments for students in hopes that more will use the free clinic,” Armelagos said.

Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity President Kirstin Miller said SGA has done the student body a great service by setting up the clinic.

“The reality on campuses across the country is that students will break the law. On Welcome Weekend alone this year there were 258 minor in possession charges issued," Miller said. "Many of these students are freshmen that have only been in the area a short time and therefore have no idea where to go."

Many of the lawyers who work in the clinic are from the community. They serve as volunteers and do not receive payment, Miller said.

“I think this is a very good service for students, but it seemed underutilized — perhaps because they don’t know it exists," said Finance and Law Instructor Matt Coffey, who participated last year. "But I would surely offer my time to the clinic again this year."

At the clinic, students can learn how to issue certain legal actions, court rules and procedures, review completed legal forms and get other legal questions answered.

The clinic's attorneys, however, cannot fill out forms for students, predict or guarantee court case outcomes, and are not responsible for the accuracy of information on legal forms.

“It sounds like it will work well," said William freshman William Stockdale. "I know that I don’t know a whole lot about legal matters, so it’s nice to know I can go talk to someone who does."

Students have mixed feelings about who would benefit from the clinic the most.

“I think I have a pretty good knowledge about most of the legal issues I would encounter at this age, but I like the idea of being able to go get advice from real lawyers," said Farmington Hills sophomore Angelique Milner. "It could only help me."

Pontiac sophomore Brittani Davis wonders if the clinic is just for show.

“It’s a really good concept and it might sound nice to say we are one of the only universities in Michigan that has a legal clinic, but I don’t know if it is necessary," Davis said. "I do think it will be good for students who want to go into law, so they can be exposed to real lawyers."

Stockdale, Milner and Davis had never heard of the clinic before.

Students can make appointments at the legal clinic by visiting the website.