how to get free attorney

As previously mentioned, individuals who require legal representation may be able to get free legal advice and/or hire a lawyer for free by contacting their local legal aid office. Legal aid offices provide free legal assistance to those in need.

Full Answer

What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?

If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid may be able to help you. There are legal aid offices (also called legal services) throughout the United States. Legal aid offices are not-for-profit agencies that provide free legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

Can you get a lawyer for free in the US?

The Constitution guarantees free legal help for people who are charged with a crime which might lead to imprisonment and who cannot afford a lawyer. If you find yourself in this situation, request the appointment of a public defender when you first appear in court.

How can I get free legal advice in NC?

Call 1-800-662-7660 or submit a request online. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free advice and representation to low-income people in all 100 counties of North Carolina. Apply for help at your nearest Legal Aid of North Carolina office, call the HelpLine at 1-866-219-5262, or apply online.

What is a pro bono lawyer?

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).

Do you have to pay for legal aid?

Most people have to pay for legal advice and representation. However, the Legal Aid scheme can pay for all or some costs if you are on a low income and have low savings.

What does free legal assistance group do?

The Free Legal Assistance Group is a human rights organisation that is committed to the protection and promotion of human rights and civil liberties. FLAG works to help excluded and vilified individuals secure legal documents pertaining to citizenship, land ownership, health, and communal development.

What does the NC Bar Association do?

The Bar Association provides programs and services that promote the legal profession, assist its lawyer-members, and advance the administration of justice. The main office of the State Bar is located in downtown Raleigh, on E. Edenton Street, near the appellate court houses and other government buildings.

What are the different types of legal aid?

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.

Are public defenders free in California?

Under California law, every person who is represented by a court-appointed attorney, including the Public Defender's Office, may be asked to pay a registration fee of up to $25 to the County of Napa. You will not be forced to pay anything if you cannot afford to pay the registration fee.

Do you have to pay for a public defender in NJ?

Contrary to popular belief, however, the representation is not free. At the close of the representation, the NJOPD is required by state statute to collect an extremely reasonable fee from a client.

How do pro bono lawyers get paid?

Usually, pro bono attorneys do not get paid. But there is the possibility that a pro bono attorney may receive some amount of compensation — or at least not lose money for taking the case. Lawyers who take pro bono cases may also receive waivers of court costs and other filing fees.

How many lawyers can you have on one case?

Answers (1) You can have any number of advocates to represent you in the court, there is no limit to this. However in Family Court legal representation of advocate is being sort and granted by the presiding judge of the Family Court. Googling your legal issue online?

What is an individual lawyer?

Individual lawyers (also called attorneys) are experts in different areas of the law. Some attorneys specialize in a certain field of law, such as business, civil, criminal, or juvenile law. You will need to determine which type of attorney is right for your legal situation.

What is law help interactive?

Law Help Interactive - This program helps you fill out legal forms for free, such as those dealing with:

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What is the number to call an attorney?

When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763) , you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with the laws in your state, who’s willing to listen to your concerns, and who can explain the options available to you moving forward. Calls are answered 24 hours a day! 24/7 FREE LEGAL ADVICE: 1-800-ATTORNEY.

How long does it take to get a lawyer's advice on AVVO?

AVVO.com’s “Ask a Lawyer” service. Post a question and get free advice from multiple lawyers. Questions are often answered within 12 hours.

What is the best phone number to call for a free consultation?

When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763), you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with ...

Is there legal advice online?

There are many free legal advice services available online as well, but we strongly advise you to take all online advice with a grain of salt. The law varies from state to state, and those giving legal advice will often have differing opinions, and may not even be licensed to practice law.

What are the free legal services?

Take advantage of the free legal services offered by your local county or state courts. Many courts provide free legal clinics or Friend of the Court services to those involved in certain types of lawsuits, typically when family law related.

How to find a legal aid office?

To find a legal aid office, look online or look up "legal aid" in your area’s phone directory.

What is a pro bono program?

Find a local pro bono program. Pro bono means services delivered free of charge, or sometimes at a greatly reduced cost. Local, state and federal bar associations, as well as non-profit organizations often conduct their pro bono programs. Before using any pro bono legal service, a party may have to prove his or her income is below a certain annual dollar amount by submitting pay stubs, bank account statement, and/or income tax returns.

How to prove income is below a certain amount?

Before using any pro bono legal service, a party may have to prove his or her income is below a certain annual dollar amount by submitting pay stubs, bank account statement, and/or income tax returns. Research pro bono programs in your area by looking online or contacting a legal aid office to get a referral.

How long is a free legal consultation?

Schedule a free legal consultation with a local attorney. Many attorneys offer 10 to 60 minute, free of charge legal consultations. Check your phone book or online directory for attorneys in your area. Even if a law firm’s advertisement does not say “free consultation”,you should still call and inquire because most attorneys will give a potential client at least 10 minutes to talk without charge.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid programs are exceptionally helpful with providing legal advice for divorce proceedings, employment issues, landlord and tenant issues, and a number of other legal problems. In many states, your income must be below the federal poverty line in order to qualify for free legal aid.

Why do younger lawyers charge less?

A younger lawyer may even decide to charge less than the market average because they are not as experienced as other lawyers, and may have fewer resources to handle big cases.

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.

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.

How many hours do lawyers spend on pro bono?

Pro bono means ‘for the public good’, and refers to services that lawyers provide for free. The American Bar Association urges each lawyer to devote 50 hours per year to pro bono work, and many lawyers meet or exceed this standard. Some states require pro bono hours as a condition for a law license. Many pro bono lawyers will not accept bankruptcy, divorce, or personal injury cases. Some pro bono law providers may prioritize low income individuals or cases they believe have a good probability of success.

How long is a free consultation?

Many lawyers will provide a free initial consultation, usually by telephone or video conference, lasting around a quarter of an hour. This will help you decide whether or not to pursue a case or define the direction you should follow. A free consultation will not give you representation in court, but it can help you clarify the issues you face and give you an idea of how to fight the charges against you.

Do law schools have free legal clinics?

Most law schools offer free legal clinics. Law students assist individuals with legal problems under the supervision of law school professors. These can be an excellent source of legal information and assistance. The American Bar Association offers this directory of public interest clinics offered by law schools.

Can you join a class action lawsuit?

Some cases are based on injury due to a defective product, exposure to toxic substances, or other conditions that affect a group of people. In this case you may be able to join a class action suit, which is filed by a group. Many class action suits are represented by lawyers working on a contingency fee basis, and they often actively seek out plaintiffs. If your case may involve other people it may be worth doing some research to determine whether a class action is already in progress or whether you may be able to initiate one.

What is flat fee for a lawyer?

Flat Fees: You pay the lawyer a single fee for his or her services.

What are some free divorce resources?

Other Free Divorce Resources 1 Free Divorce Worksheet: Some websites offer free online divorce worksheets by state. This worksheet will help you collect all the information you will need to hand to your lawyer to help you finalize your divorce. 2 Free Personal Legal Forms: You can find free personal legal forms, including child visitation letters, online. 3 Bar Associations: State and local bar associations often publish guides to commonly encountered legal situations, such as getting a divorce and writing a will. Check with your local bar association for more information.

What is a pro bono divorce lawyer?

Pro bono divorce lawyers are, in essence, free divorce lawyers. They are attorneys that will voluntary take on your case at no charge. (Because divorce is a civil legal matter, the court will not appoint a lawyer to represent you, as is done in criminal cases.)

What are the legal issues that the state and local bar associations often publish?

Bar Associations: State and local bar associations often publish guides to commonly encountered legal situations, such as getting a divorce and writing a will. Check with your local bar association for more information.

Do you pay a lawyer upfront?

Contingent Fees: You pay the lawyer nothing upfront, but the lawyer keeps a percentage of any money awarded to you at the end of the case. (Contingency fees are not used in divorce cases.)

Do you have to file a divorce petition with the Family Law District Court?

However, even in this circumstance, one of the spouses must first file an original petition for divorce with the Family Law District Court to have a divorce granted. You may wish to contract an attorney to help you file this document to ensure it is done correctly.