The State Bar of Texas Legal Access Division website provides a good starting point for finding free or reduced cost legal help, including a directory of legal aid programs by county, a low-cost lawyer referral service, and free publications in both English and Spanish.
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.
ABA Free Legal Answers is a website on which you can submit your questions about civil (non-criminal) legal issues and receive answers from pro bono lawyers in your state. It's EASY. Legal questions are submitted online – all you need is an internet connection. It's CONVENIENT.
The state and city government allows victims to sue for up to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per incident. All other government levels allow for $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. Punitive damages (exemplary damages) are not allowed against the government. They have immunity against such damages.
Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.
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.