Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies.
Community Action Agency Baldwin County provides food, financial assistance for housing, utilities, and medical bills. Also providing services through Project Rebound to eligible clients in Baldwin and Escambia counties who were affected by the Deep Water Horizoin oil spill. Office hours are: 8am - 5pm Mondays through Fridays.
The city courthouse, law schools and legal aid societies can be good places to look for legal help.
If you live in Jefferson County, the Birmingham Bar Association operates its own lawyer referral service. Call (205) 251-8006 for more information or to get a referral. How Does the Lawyer Referral Service Work?
Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Services 1 Legal Services Corporation (LSC) - Find legal aid for people with a low income. 2 Pro Bono and Free Legal Help - Locate free or low-cost legal help. 3 Free Legal Answers - If you have a low income and qualify for the program, you can submit civil law questions to the American Bar Association. ...
When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.
Legal Services Alabama (“LSA”) is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides qualifying low-income families across all 67 counties of Alabama with free civil legal aid in a wide variety of areas.
A lawyer who works pro bono does not get paid for the commitment on the case. To cover the loss of income, lawyers often cover the pro bono cases through charges to paying clients. Others work on a “no win, no fee” basis. They only get paid if they win the case.
According to Section 2(c) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, “legal services” includes any service in the conduct of any case or other legal proceeding before any court or other authority or tribunal and the giving of advice on any legal matter.
You may qualify for free legal helpCall Legal Services Alabama.English 1-866-456-4995.Español 1-888-835-3505.Apply Online for Legal Help.Find your local office.
How do I get a Public Defender? You must be appointed a public defender by a judge. If the judge appoints the Office of Public Defender to represent you, your case will be assigned to an attorney within the office, unless the office has a conflict of interest.
This can range from providing advice to individuals, to charities or even local community groups. However, unlike legal aid, for which lawyers' time is funded by the Government, pro bono work is legal advice provided free of charge.
To qualify for free legal assistance, a person must comply with a 'means test' (a maximum monthly or no income) and have a legal problem with merit. You will be referred to an attorney by the Legal Practice Council who will assist you free of charge (pro bono).
Pro bono provides lawyers with the opportunity to develop their legal skills, sometimes in a new area of law, as well as essential soft skills, such as client interviewing.
The sections of the society as enlisted under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act are entitled to free legal services, they are : A member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe. A victim of trafficking in human beings or beggar as referred to in Article 23 of the Constitution. A woman or a child.
There are two types of legal aid: for civil and for criminal cases. All applications for legal aid for criminal cases are means tested. But some applications for legal aid for civil cases are not means tested, for example care cases and Mental Health Tribunal cases.
Provision of free legal aid may include: Preparation of appeal, paper book including printing and translation of documents in legal proceedings. Rendering of any service in the conduct of any case or other legal proceeding before any court or other Authority or tribunal. Giving of advice on any legal matter.
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.
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. Here's how to find legal help if you can't afford a lawyer:
The Akron Bar Association, in Akron, Ohio, is an example of what's out there. You can call the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 9 to 11 a.m., as part of their Ask an Attorney Service, and they'll answer legal questions for free.
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. However, it's important to tread carefully before picking a lawyer. Choose a reputable attorney and make sure the rate is agreed upon before the lawyer takes your case.
It's risky for lawyers to take cases on contingency, and they need to be confident a judge or jury will side with you, and that there's going to be something sizable awarded to you. While no legal expert will suggest you represent yourself, it is an option if you're in a financial bind.
An attorney might give you a discount. Also, many attorneys offer payment plans, so that you're paying monthly instead of one huge sum all at once. Of course, you could hit the jackpot and find a pro bono lawyer, or you might find someone willing to take your case on contingency.
Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include:
These programs offer a variety of ways to get legal aid. Some limit their services to people with low incomes.
Stateside Legal - Find free legal help for military members, veterans, and their families.
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
The Lawyer Referral Service is a simple process initiated by calling our toll free number (1-800-392-5660) or by clicking on the link below. You will be asked to briefly state the reason you are seeking an attorney. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence.
In the Lawyer Profiles, you can also find and compare participating lawyers by type of case and type of fee. Lawyer Profiles are multi-page profiles that include each lawyer’s education, experience, areas of practice, memberships, admissions, geographic areas served, office map and a secure online email form.
The Alabama State Bar is committed to promoting public access to high quality legal services regardless of financial or other circumstances. The following information is offered to those who are seeking legal assistance and are not sure where to begin in their search for an attorney or other legal help.
The Lawyer Referral Service cannot make appointments for callers. When you call to make your appointment with the lawyer, be sure to tell him or her that the Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service has referred you.
1. Get a Loan . Hiring a criminal defense attorney is one of the most important expenditures you’ll ever make. Even if you need to take out a loan, it’s crucial to hire the right person to fight for your legal rights. There are many financial services available today.
If you know someone who may have the means to help you, don’t be afraid to ask. Life is unpredictable, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. If an emergency comes up, such as being arrested or accused of a crime, you might not have the above options.
It’s important to hire an attorney or law firm that has successfully handled cases similar to yours, and also has familiarity with, and experience in, the court where your case will be heard. However, if money is an issue, there are a variety of ways you may be able to come up with the money.