You may be entitled to free legal aid from a court-appointed lawyer or public defender if your freedom is threatened (in other words, you must go to prison). A public defender is a lawyer who represents defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, and the Constitution guarantees the right to legal assistance in certain cases. You can also ask your local law society if they offer any of the following free services to people who need legal help: If you are a victim of domestic violence or fear for your safety, you may be eligible for free legal aid from agencies that can help you gather evidence of abuse and apply for injunctions. inter alia. For immediate help wherever you are, contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). What should I do if I don`t get free legal aid? If you can`t find help from a legal or pro bono aid program, some alternatives include contacting a legal placement service (some may be able to refer you to a low-fee lawyer) or hiring a lawyer to do only some of the legal work and other parts yourself (this is called „unbundled“ legal services). You can also try to get legal information and try to solve the legal problem yourself. Please visit our section on other free resources for more information. What is a pro bono program? Pro bono programs help low-income people find pro bono lawyers who are willing to handle their case for free.
These programs are usually sponsored by state or local bar associations. Check out our directory of pro bono programs to find one in your state. Your eligibility for free legal aid depends on a number of factors, such as your income, health, safety, location, and whether your problem is civil or criminal. Pro bono programs match low-income clients with pro bono lawyers who agree to take on their cases free of charge. Federally funded legal aid firms provide lawyers who are experts in helping low-income people with legal problems. To find a legal aid office near you: Go to www. LawHelp.org and choose the state you live in to find out who in your state can help you solve your legal problem. I do not have legal immigration status. Can legal aid help me? Each legal aid agency has its own rules about who is eligible for its services.
However, if you are a victim of violent crime or domestic violence, legal aid can certainly help protect you from domestic violence or abuse, even if you do not have legal immigration status. If you are a victim of domestic violence, legal aid can also apply for immigration on your behalf. Some legal aid organizations specialize in a wide range of immigration law issues. Go to www. LawHelp.org information on the rules applicable to legal aid offices in your area. Are there cases where legal aid is not being addressed? Legal aid in civil matters does not deal with cases of pecuniary damage, such as medical malpractice, car accidents or traffic offences or criminal cases. (For the difference between civil and criminal cases, see The differences between the criminal court and the civil court). What can I expect from a lawyer? Legal aid lawyers have the same qualifications as other lawyers. Everything you tell your lawyer is confidential, which means it will not be shared with anyone outside the legal aid office. Since everything you tell your lawyer is confidential, tell them the truth. Your lawyer can help you better if you tell him the truth. I am not eligible for legal aid, who can I go to for help? Who is still eligible for independent counsel? In non-criminal or „civil“ cases, you are not entitled to a free lawyer.
But there are many legal and pro bono aid programs that provide free legal aid to the poor in civil matters. These programs typically help people whose income is less than 125 percent of the federal poverty line, although in some cases they help people with slightly higher incomes. (See the table below for current income guidelines.) In addition, the elderly, the disabled, victims of domestic violence, military service or other special circumstances may be entitled to assistance, even if their income is slightly higher. Because these community-based programs often operate on very small budgets and do not have sufficient resources to serve all those eligible, they only handle certain types of cases and have to turn away many people who seek help. Many legal aid offices may be able to resolve other issues such as immigration, consumers and people with disabilities. Some legal aid offices focus on one area of law, e.g. disability law or housing law. Some legal aid offices receive funding from the government, which may limit the type of cases they can accept. LawHelp.org – Find free legal aid programs in your community.
Here you will find information about your legal rights by topic, e.g. housing, divorce, family allowances and debt collection. If you can`t afford a lawyer, but you think you qualify for free legal aid, the following can help you move in the right direction. However, be sure to check with your local court or local legal aid program for more detailed information about admission. Some legal aid organizations and clinics offer free legal assistance to individuals and non-profit or not-for-profit organizations seeking to improve the economic, cultural, social or environmental well-being of disadvantaged or underserved communities. Community problems can include neighbourhood deterioration, inadequate housing and homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, racial discord and crime. Check with your state`s individual Community law programmes for specific admission and admission requirements. Immigration Legal Services – Search your state for free legal service providers. for persons in immigration procedures. Seniors Care Locator – Enter your postal code to find local offices for legal and senior care organizations.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – Find legal help for low-income individuals and families. What is a legal service/legal aid office? Legal aid firms, also known as legal aid offices, employ lawyers hired to provide legal assistance to poor clients.