In the world of law, low-income families often get the short end of the stick because lawyers, like every other type of professional, are looking for high-paying clients. Of course, low-income families sometimes need legal help just as much as the rich, which is why there are free legal services if you know where to look. When you find yourself facing a legal dispute or criminal charges, consider the following five ways to find free legal services for low-income families.
1- Legal Aid
There are several different names for the lawyers the court provides to criminal defendants-legal aid, public defenders, public servant. Low-income families that find one of their own facing criminal charges can look to legal aid as a free resource. You’ll have to prove your income and assets to the court before you can take advantage of this service, but public defenders don’t charge a fee and they are members of the state bar. Remember, however, that legal aid isn’t available to disputants in civil court.
2- Legal Services Corporation
Similar to legal aid, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a non-profit organization established by the U.S. government to provide free legal services to low-income families. This organization, however, is geared toward helping litigants in civil disputes rather than in criminal matters. According to their web site, they assist in just under one million cases each year, though many of those cases never see the inside of the courtroom. They prefer to help resolve disputes by offering advice, writing letters and making phone calls.
3- Student Clinics
Most of the law schools across the nation hold law clinics for their students, which are initiatives to provide legal services for low-income families while educating law students at the same time. If there is a law school in your area, find their web site and call to find about upcoming clinics. If your case fits the profile or purpose for the clinic, they might represent you. Although you will work primarily with students, who are learning their craft, your case will be overseen by a professor or even a practicing attorney.
4- Non-Profit Organizations
Low-income families who need free legal services for a serious issue can sometimes find help through non-profit organizations. This is usually the case when a family’s problem pertains to a wide-spread issue that all Americans deal with. For example, the ACLU provides free legal services to low-income families fighting battles based on constitutional rights or civil rights. If you think that your legal problem might qualify, you can contact these organizations to ask for assistance.
5- Consultations
Sometimes, low-income families don’t need free legal services; instead, they need free legal advice. Since many attorneys offer free consultations in order to entice clients, you can set up one of these meetings and get the majority of your questions answered. You won’t get free representation in court, but you can learn more about how the system works directly from “the horse’s mouth”. Alternatively, the attorney many (in very few cases) feel strongly enough about your case to take it on pro-bono.
