how to get a free lawyer from the court house

What are the factors that determine if you qualify for free legal aid?

Whether you qualify for free legal aid depends on a number of factors -- such as your income, health status, safety, location, and whether your issue is of a civil or criminal nature.

What is legal aid for HIV?

There are several HIV/AIDS legal services programs that provide free legal aid to low-income clients who are infected with HIV or AIDS on matters including estate planning, employment or housing discrimination, insurance difficulties, family law questions, and other legal issues.

What are the problems of community legal services?

Community problems may include neighborhood deterioration, inadequate housing and homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, racial discord, and crime. Check with your state's individual community legal programs for specific eligibility and intake requirements.

Can veterans get legal aid?

Mentally and physically disabled U.S. Veterans may be eligible for free legal aid on issues ranging from rent assistance to child visitation matters. For eligibility requirements, check your local veterans association to see if you or a member of your household qualifies for free legal help with a number of services.

Can I get legal services if I receive SSI?

If you currently receive financial assistance through other public aid programs such as SSI/SSP, Food Stamps program, County Relief, Older Americans Act, and Developmentally Disabled Assistance Act, for example, you may be eligible for continuing free legal services in your state .

Can I get legal help if my income is below the poverty level?

If your income is currently below the national average for the number of people in your household, you may qualify for free legal help. Most legal aid clinics and pro bono attorneys (private attorneys offering free legal help) serve those whose household income is less than 125 percent of the federally recognized poverty level. The exceptions are Alaska and Hawaii, which have higher income eligibility thresholds.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid lawyers are usually government-funded lawyers who represent people with low incomes in a variety of legal situations, including eviction defense, denial of unemployment compensation or other benefits, and consumer credit problems.

Can a lawyer represent you if you are injured?

If You've Been Injured. If you have been injured and wish to sue, a lawyer may agree to represent you on a "contingency fee" basis. While the lawyer's services won't be free, you pay the lawyer's fee only when and if she recovers money for you.

Can an attorney represent you on a pro bono basis?

If your dispute involves a social justice issue and has wide implications beyond your individual situation, an attorney or public interest legal organization with an interest in that issue may represent you on a "pro bono" ( no fee or reduced fee) basis. For example, if your claim involves sexual harassment by an employer, abuse by a spouse or partner, discrimination in housing or employment, freedom of speech or religion, environmental pollution, or access to medical treatment, you may find an attorney or organization willing to represent you pro bono.

Is Nolo's law dictionary free?

Before you meet with a lawyer, you might want to learn some common (and perhaps even not-so-common) legal terms. Get Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary, now available as a free iPhone app (also compatible with iPod touch).

What to do if you don't have a lawyer?

Still, whether it's a divorce or you're being taken to court for something else, if you don't have a lawyer, a logical move would be to call the courthouse and ask who they would suggest going to. You think you're the first person who couldn't afford a lawyer? Hardly.

How to get free legal consultation?

Some attorneys will offer free consultations – usually by phone or videoconference. You aren't likely to come away feeling like you're ready to try your first case, but even if it's just a 15-minute call, you may at least get enough information to have a better sense of what legal morass you're in for. You might also be able to get some direction as to who can help you for free or a bargain basement price.

What happens if you lose a pro bono case?

That is, if you lose your case, you won't pay money, but if you win, the law firm will take a portion of the money awarded to you.

What law schools offer free legal advice?

Many law schools have pro bono programs in which law students can offer free legal advice. Some of the schools that have such programs include American University, Appalachian School of Law, Arizona State University, Howard University, Tulane University and many others.

What is lawhelp.org?

You can find more ideas at LawHelp.org, a nonprofit aimed at connecting people with low and moderate incomes to free legal aid programs in their communities.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid societies are nonprofit organizations found in almost every corner of the country that provide free legal services to low-income people. While this is certainly worth exploring, the problem for many households is that the individual or couple makes too much money to qualify for help.

What happens if you can't afford legal assistance?

In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative.

What is a volunteer lawyer?

The volunteer lawyers will review your court papers, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your individual case, help you fill out forms, and assist you in creating a plan to defend or prosecute your case.

What is the city bar hotline?

City Bar Legal Hotline. The City Bar Justice Center’s Legal Hotline, 212-626-7383, is staffed by attorneys who assist low income callers on a range of issues, including housing law. The hotline is staffed Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Should lawsuits be taken seriously?

Lawsuits should be taken seriously. If you are, or may be, a party in our court we strongly suggest that you consult an attorney to fully determine your legal rights and the best way of handling your legal problem.

How to get a free divorce lawyer?

As you are seeking for free divorce lawyer, you need to convince the court that you are not capable financially to afford the cost of a divorce lawyer. So the court will ask for your financial status. Your current income, asset, real estate asset and debt are information that will ensure your free divorce lawyer. If the court finds that you are really unable to hire a lawyer at high price according to your financial status the court will find a lawyer who can work for you voluntarily.

What information is needed to get a divorce lawyer?

Your current income, asset, real estate asset and debt are information that will ensure your free divorce lawyer. If the court finds that you are really unable to hire a lawyer at high price according to your financial status the court will find a lawyer who can work for you voluntarily.

What does the clerk do in a divorce court?

In the court, the clerk keeps all information about waiver and you may discuss with him freely about your financial condition. The clerk will help you giving all information in terms of waiver. If possible, you contact with him and approach with your documents that supports you are not able to hire a divorce lawyer at high rate.

How much does a divorce lawyer charge?

Your lawyer may negotiate this charge before beginning your case. The hourly rate also may vary because of the complexity of the divorce case. $50 to $300 may be charged for the lawyer service provided for your case.

Why is divorce not a simple issue?

Divorce is not simple issue to resolve because there are strict legal bindings. The reality is really unfavorable because you are going to cut off the relation of the married life through divorce. As it is a legal process, you need to hire a divorce lawyer who can help you settle this issue. Hiring a divorce lawyer is really expensive ...

Why does it cost to get divorced?

When you are proceeding the process of divorce with court, it costs you because hiring a lawyer is really expensive. But there are such ways discussed above which can help you get the issue done with no charge. The people having financial problem have this opportunities to use as they are not capable to afford the cost of the lawyer. However one can get more information on different city bar, court and law chamber if they contact directly.

How to settle a divorce?

Go For Mediation. Most of the time, divorce may be resolved with mediation, mediation is one of the simple ways to settle your critical divorce process. In this ways, you both are agreed with your differences and want a quick solution without going to face any court hassle.

How to use Lawyer of the Day?

To make the best use of the Lawyer of the Day Program, be sure to: Check with the court to make sure volunteer attorneys are scheduled to be at the courthouse on the date of your hearing (always call ahead) Bring all your paperwork regarding your case.

What is a lawyer for the day?

Lawyer for the Day programs across various courts provide basic legal advice, help you understand relevant laws and your rights, and assist you in filling out court forms. They do not go with you into the courtroom, but can equip you to better represent yourself in court.

What is a program in law?

A program might: Answer legal questions you may have about your case (i.e., evidence you will need) Assist you in determining your next steps and understanding court procedure as it applies to your case. Make sure you understand and are aware of relevant laws, legal resources, and information.

Do you have to make an appointment to go to court?

Some require you to make an appointment before you come to court.

Does every court have a lawyer for the day?

Lawyer for the Day programs are not available at every court location. However, you can check whether your court hosts a Lawyer for the Day program by visiting that court's page. You can get to individual location pages here:

How long does a solicitor give for free?

Some solicitors give 30 minutes' legal advice for free. Some offer a fixed fee - that way you'll know in advance what the advice will cost. You can call a solicitor's office and ask if they offer a free half hour or a fixed fee. A free or fixed-fee appointment can help you find out your rights and legal position.

How to bring a passport to a solicitor appointment?

Take any relevant documents to the appointment. Call the solicitor's office to find out if they want you to bring any particular documents, such as a passport.

What is legal aid?

legal aid for a serious problem. free, reduced cost or fixed-fee advice from legal professionals or advice charities. free legal help from your trade union or other membership organisation. legal advice with insurance policies. help to pay court fees - read about help paying court fees on GOV.UK.

What happens if you can't get legal aid?

If you can't get legal aid, there's a small chance you might get help through 'exceptional case funding'.

How many types of legal aid are there?

There are 2 types of legal aid, for criminal and civil cases.

Does legal aid pay for legal fees?

If your case is serious and you can’t afford to pay your legal costs, legal aid might pay some or all of them.

Can unions give free legal help?

Unions can sometimes offer free legal help such as finding and paying for a solicitor - and not just for work problems. Speak to your shop steward or workplace representative or contact your union's head office to see if they can give you free legal help.