Finding Pro Bono Legal Help
If you or a family member needs legal help, this article will assist you in finding pro bono legal help. If you cannot afford an attorney and your income level qualifies, there are many sources to find pro bono legal services or free legal representation.
For example, if you are arrested and charged with a crime or in family court situations that involve criminal charges, the U.S. Constitution and most state constitutions contain provisions that guarantee you the right to representation by an attorney. An attorney may be assigned to your case at no cost to you if the crime carries with it the potential for jail time and you have low income. Your case may be handled by a government public defender office or a private attorney paid by the court.
There are also many community based legal service companies that have recently arisen due to the mortgage and housing crises through the country. They are not for profit organizations that provide lawyers to represent you. If you need assistance with renegotiating a mortgage or avoiding foreclosure or eviction, these housing advocate organizations can provide pro bono legal help to you.
Many cities also have general legal aid service agencies. These agencies are also not for profit organizations that receive state or federal funding and are available to service lower income people in need of pro bono legal help. It is recommended that you contact your local or state bar association for this referral source for finding pro bono legal help or search the websites for not for profit or community based service companies that provide pro bono legal help.
The best way to find out where to find pro bono legal help is to contact your local county bar association or the state bar association in the state you live in. They may also have websites that provide information on where to find free legal services. Some states may also have rules that require attorneys to perform a certain amount of pro bono legal services. These rules vary from state to state and you should check with your state bar association for this information.