WashingtonLawHelp.org, the free, statewide resource for those facing civil legal issues, launched a new text messaging campaign, aimed at helping low-income individuals in Washington get their driver’s license reinstated by texting DRIVE to 877877.

This new SMS campaign will guide residents to legal information and local referral services through the use of text message. This will allow cell phone users to receive referral information without the need for a data plan, and will allow cell phone users with a data plan to access legal information directly from their phone.

“For people on a fixed income, unpaid traffic fines can snowball into a suspended license making it difficult to get or maintain a job. The goal of this text campaign is to help these individuals get on a path toward reinstatement and ultimately employment,” said Danielle Rebar, Website Manager at the Northwest Justice Project. 

WashingtonLawHelp.org is part of the national LawHelp.org network of nonprofit legal information portals that empower individuals to help themselves. WashingtonLawHelp.org is Washington’s online source of free legal aid referrals, know-your-rights information and a variety of self-help tools.  The site is maintained by the Northwest Justice Project, in conjunction with Pro Bono Net, a nonprofit leader in increasing access to justice for low-income people.

WashingtonLawHelp.org was launched in 2004 and now serves more than 800,000 visitors a year providing hundreds of free legal information publications, self-help packet, videos and court forms for use in Washington State.  Visit www.washingtonlawhelp.org for more information.

The Northwest Justice Project is Washington’s publicly funded legal aid program.  Each year NJP provides critical civil legal assistance and representation to thousands of low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs. For more information, visit www.nwjustice.org.

Pro Bono Net is a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice for the disadvantaged. Through innovative technology solutions and expertise in building and mobilizing justice networks, Pro Bono Net transforms the way legal help reaches the underserved. Our comprehensive programs, including www.probono.net, www.lawhelp.org and www.lawhelpinteractive.org, enable legal advocates to make a stronger impact, increase volunteer participation, and empower the public with resources and self-help tools to improve their lives. For more information, please visit www.probono.net.