where to get a free lawyer in richmond california

by Dr. Dustin Strosin 7 min read

Free civil legal advice will be provided by a licensed attorney on issues that include domestic violence, family law, guardianships, landlord/tenant and probate. Clinics are held every Tuesday from 9am to Noon. Please call the ACFJC at (510) 267-8800 to meet with a Client Navigator who will help you reserve an appointment.

Full Answer

Can I get a lawyer for free in California?

If you qualify for legal aid – If you can’t afford a lawyer, the legal aid office can help you for free. Legal aid lawyers are state or federally funded lawyers. They offer help for some legal situations (e.g., eviction defense, denial of employment compensation or other benefits, and consumer credit problems).

Where can I get legal aid in California?

The State Bar funds legal aid organizations throughout the state that provide legal services to Californians who have low and moderate incomes. These organizations focus on your issues, from custody and family law to disability rights and veterans benefits. Research low-cost legal aid through LawHelpCA.org

Where can I get free legal representation in California?

Central California Legal Services - Another non-profit law firm that offers free services and representation. They provide legal assistance to low income families and others in the following counties across the state. Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Dial (800) 675-8001 to learn more.

Where can I get free legal advice?

Other resources that you may be able to obtain free legal advice from include a public library, court websites, state or local bar association websites, and legal clinics affiliated with law schools in your state. It should be noted, however, that some of these sources may not be able to answer all of your questions.

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Central Virginia Legal Aid Society

CVLAS offers free assistance to local residents in matters related to civil (non-criminal) law. Typical cases cover: civil rights, foreclosure, disabilities, domestic violence, employment, and government benefits, and other issues common to citizens with lower incomes. Visit CVLAS’s website for specific directions on how to apply for services.

Legal Aid Justice Center

LAJC features several programs designed to help Richmond’s citizens. Programs include: Civil Advocacy Program, JustChildren Program, Immigrant Advocacy Program, Elder Law Initiative, Health Advocacy, and Institutionalized Persons. For Petersburg residents and others in the area you can contact the local Petersburg LAJC office at:

Community Tax Law Project

CTLP provides free representation in tax-related disputes. The organization also provides free services to the Commonwealth’s nonprofit organizations. Visit the website for more information on CTLP’s mission and practice.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Immigration Counseling

CCC provides legal services in connection with re-entry, permanent residency applications, asylum, and other immigration matters. The organization generally charges an affordable fee but will waive the cost of services in some cases.

Legal Information Network for Cancer

LINC works to help cancer patients manage legal issues related to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Professionals on staff and volunteering within LINC’s network have expertise is in public and private benefits, employment law, debt management, and will preparation.

Who can be appointed as a free legal representative?

In criminal cases, those who cannot afford a lawyer will be appointed a free legal representative by the court. These representatives are usually selected from the local public defender’s office. The main purpose of appointing a public defender is to ensure that people who cannot pay for legal assistance in a criminal case will still receive fair ...

Why do lawyers not give legal advice?

The reason for this is due to special ethical and professional rules that lawyers and those providing legal advice have to follow. In fact, most of them cannot provide actual legal advice. They can only offer free legal information (e.g., where to find a particular court form, etc.). Thus, if an individual needs actual legal advice ...

What is a legal clinic?

A legal clinic is a service that allows current law students to gain experience by working on real-life cases under the supervision of a faculty advisor (e.g., usually a law school professor who is also a lawyer).

Can the government refuse to pay for a lawyer?

So long as a person qualifies for free legal representation, the government cannot refuse to pay for their lawyer because it would violate ...

Do lawyers have to discuss fees before hiring?

While each lawyer may have different conditions for this fee arrangement, a person should be sure to discuss all of the terms of the agreement before they hire them. Lastly, though a person may be responsible for minor costs like filing fees or expert witness fees, the outcome may be worth the smaller expenses.

Do lawyers get paid for contingency fees?

On the other hand, if a lawyer has agreed to take a case on a contingency fee basis and they do not prevail, they will be paid nothing for their services.

What is legal aid in California?

Legal aid agencies are non-profit organizations that provide free legal services to people below a certain income level. Before you can get help from a legal aid agency, you usually have to qualify for their help based on your low income.

Why is finding a lawyer so difficult?

Finding a free or low-cost lawyer is difficult because there are a lot of people who need lawyers but cannot afford them. Here are the main groups that may be able to help you: Court-based self-help services. Legal aid agencies and other non-profit groups. Government agencies.

What is a lawyer referral?

Lawyer referral services help people find lawyers. They can tell you about free or low-cost legal services in your area for people who qualify. If you do not qualify for free help, they can give you other information to help you find legal help that does not cost you a lot of money.

What is self help in California?

Court-based self-help services. All California superior courts have some legal help available to people who do not have lawyers and are representing themselves. Because there are many types of services and information to assist you in getting help from your court, we have created an entire section just for court services.

Can legal aid help with domestic violence?

Also, legal aid agencies cannot help with all types of cases. Legal aid agencies usually help with domestic violence cases, family law, evictions, public benefits, immigration, employment issues, and other types of cases that can cause serious problems in a person's every day life. They will probably not be able to help you if you want ...

Do law schools have free legal clinics?

Some law schools have free legal clinics for certain types of legal problems. Your local bar association or your court will likely know about these clinics and can give you more information. Or contact your local law school to find out.

Do lawyers have lower fees?

Some lawyers have lower fees for people who do not have very much money. Some lawyers will help you with key parts of your case and let you do the rest (called "limited-scope representation" or "unbundling"). Click to find a lawyer referral service in your area.

What are the free legal aid programs in California?

There are several non-profit law firms in California that provide free legal assistance to low as well as moderate income families and individuals. Attorneys near you can help senior citizens, immigrants or Migrant workers, and the disabled among others. Free lawyers from these organizations are committed to helping with housing issues, government assistance programs, stopping evictions, debt issues and more more. There is legal aid for the poor, low income individuals and the disadvantaged among us. A goal is to ensure everyone has some form of access to affordable representation.

What are the areas of free legal assistance?

The organizations will provide free legal assistance in the following areas: Public, government, and subsidized (including Section 8, Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention, and other HUD subsidized projects) and private housing. Fair housing, discrimination, and housing discrimination.

What do attorneys do in California?

Attorneys will work closely with clients to prevent homelessness, both preserve and expand affordable housing, fight illegal evictions, and prevent foreclosures. The organizations will provide free legal assistance in the following areas:

How to contact Legal Aid Society of San Diego?

Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc - Employs a staff of expert legal workers, paralegals and lawyers who will help your family take care of and address your legal problems or crisis free of charge. (1-877-534-2524) .

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Court-Based Self-Help Services

  • All California superior courts have some legal help available to people who do not have lawyers and are representing themselves. Because there are many types of services and information to assist you in getting help from your court, we have created an entire section just for court services. Find out more about help from your court.
See more on courts.ca.gov

Legal Aid Agencies and Other Nonprofit Groups

  • Legal aid agencies There are legal aid offices in many cities throughout California. Legal aid agencies are non-profit organizations that provide free legal services to people below a certain income level. Before you can get help from a legal aid agency, you usually have to qualify for their help based on your low income. Because there are so many people in need of legal help, your inc…
See more on courts.ca.gov

Government Agencies

  • There are several government agencies that can offer legal help. If you look up information on this website by legal topic, you will find information about specific government agencies that help with that topic. For example, in the child support section, you will find a lot of detailed information about your local child support agency and how they can help parents collect and pay child supp…
See more on courts.ca.gov

Lawyer-Referral Services

  • Lawyer referral services help people find lawyers. They can tell you about free or low-cost legal services in your area for people who qualify. If you do not qualify for free help, they can give you other information to help you find legal help that does not cost you a lot of money. For example, they keep lists of lawyers who will meet with you once to discuss your case. They will not charg…
See more on courts.ca.gov

Law Schools

  • Some law schools have free legal clinics for certain types of legal problems. Your local bar association or your court will likely know about these clinics and can give you more information. Or contact your local law school to find out.
See more on courts.ca.gov

Dispute Resolution Programs

  • Many communities have "dispute resolution" programs. These programs can try to help "mediate" or work out problems instead of going to court, so you may not need a lawyer. Find more information on resolving your dispute out of court.
See more on courts.ca.gov

Prepaid Legal Services Plans

  • You may belong to a prepaid group legal services plan through your employer, your union, or your credit union. in general, most basic plans provide legal advice and consultation by telephone and may also include brief office consultations, review of simple legal documents, preparation of a simple will, discounts on legal services through a network of lawyers, access to a database of le…
See more on courts.ca.gov