Justin was homeless and living in a small town when he came to Lone Star Legal Aid looking for help. He relied on odd jobs to survive, caring for animals, mowing lawns, and doing whatever work he could find to get by.
For months, Justin worked for a local man, Mr. Roy, doing maintenance and outdoor work. Then one day, the payments stopped. Mr. Roy owed Justin more than $800, money Justin depended on, and soon stopped answering his calls altogether. When Justin tried to retrieve his tools and personal belongings, Mr. Roy refused and blocked his number.
With no formal employment contract and no stable place to live, Justin didn’t know what options he had. That’s when he reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid.
Attorney John Torti recognized two distinct legal problems: a wage claim and a property claim. He walked Justin through each step, explaining his rights and what could be done.
To address the missing wages, Mr. Torti advised Justin to file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission. Because Justin didn’t have access to a printer, Mr. Torti printed the forms and instructions for him and explained the process.
To address the property claim, Mr. Torti helped Justin file a Petition for Trial of Right of Property, a legal filing that allows a person to recover belongings wrongfully held by another. Torti created a legal document, formatted it for submission, and added Justin’s information. “[Justin] Submits this petition for trial of right of property Pursuant to Tex Civ Proc. 717-734 to recover his personal property being wrongfully withheld by the defendant,” the document began.
Knowing Justin couldn’t afford court costs, Mr. Torti also helped him file a statement requesting that the court waive the fees, removing yet another barrier to seeking justice.
With Lone Star Legal Aid’s help, Justin was able to bring his former employer before a justice of the peace and finally have his concerns heard. For the first time, he had a clear path forward — and someone in his corner.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org