Do You Pay for a Legal Aid
Pro Bono and Free Legal Aid – Find free or low-income legal assistance. Legal aid cannot help everyone with all legal problems. There are certain types of cases that legal aid does not cover, including criminal cases and paid cases, such as car accidents, where you want the other person to pay for your injuries or damage to your car. Created by FindLaw`s team of legal writers and writers | Last updated on June 20, 2016, there are several HIV/AIDS legal counselling programs that offer free legal assistance to low-income clients infected with HIV or AIDS in areas such as estate planning, discrimination in employment or housing, insurance difficulties, family law and other legal issues. This information has been created to give you general information about the law. This is not legal advice on a specific issue. If you have any questions about the law, you should consult a lawyer. If you don`t know a lawyer, you can call the South Carolina Bar Attorneys Reference Service between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. The number is 799-7100 in Richland or Lexington counties and 1-800-868-2284 in other parts of the state. There are legal aid offices (also called legal counsel) in the United States.
Legal consulting firms are non-profit organizations that provide free legal assistance to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. While many legal aid offices only help people with very low incomes, some offices have more flexible income rules. How to find a consulting office near you: Go to www. LawHelp.org and select the state you live in to find out who in your state can help you solve your legal problem. I do not have legal immigration status. Can legal aid help me? Each legal aid organization has its own rules on who is eligible for its services. However, if you become a victim of a violent crime or domestic violence, legal assistance can help you in any case that protects you from domestic violence or abuse, even if you do not have legal immigration status. If you have been a victim of domestic violence, legal aid can also apply for immigration on your behalf. Some legal consulting firms specialize in a wide range of immigration law issues. Go to www. LawHelp.orgfor more information about the rules of legal aid offices in your area.
Are there cases that are not handled by legal aid? Legal aid in civil matters does not deal with cases of pecuniary damage such as medical professional misconduct or car accidents, traffic offences or criminal cases. (For the difference between civil and criminal law issues, see The differences between the criminal court and the civil court). What can I expect from a litigant? Legal aid lawyers have the same qualifications as other lawyers. Everything you say to your lawyer is confidential, which means it won`t be shared with anyone outside the legal aid office. Since everything you say to your lawyer is confidential, tell your lawyer the truth. Your lawyer can help you better if you tell your lawyer the truth. I am not entitled to legal aid, where can I ask for help? In determining whether a person is eligible for legal aid, income, family size and special financial needs are taken into account. Legal services are free for eligible low-income individuals, but clients are asked to cover legal costs where possible. Who is entitled to an independent lawyer? The Constitution guarantees free legal assistance to persons accused of a crime that could result in a prison sentence and who cannot afford a lawyer.
If you find yourself in this situation, seek the appointment of a public defence lawyer at your first court appearance. When a court decides that someone is “destitute” – with little fortune and no way to pay a lawyer – usually either a private lawyer is appointed by the court and paid with district funds, or a public defense program is appointed to represent the person. Some public defense programs are allowed to charge clients a “deposit fee,” although this is usually a small amount. You may be entitled to a free lawyer from a court-appointed lawyer or a public defense lawyer if your freedom is threatened (in other words, you have to go to jail). A public defence lawyer is a lawyer who represents defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, and the Constitution guarantees the right to a lawyer in certain cases. Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – Find legal aid for low-income individuals and families. Bar associations, the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission, Legal Aid, and community organizations across the state support existing legal clinics throughout the year. This guide has been prepared for general information purposes only.
The information it contains does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specific circumstances of each situation. In addition, the law may vary from state to state. Some of the information in this guide may not be correct for your condition. To find local resources, visit LawHelp.org and select your state. Immigration Legal Services – Search your state for free legal service providers. for people in immigration proceedings. LawHelp.org – Find free legal aid programs in your community.
Find information about your legal rights by topic, such as housing, divorce, family allowances and debt collection. Seniors Care Locator – Enter your postal code to find local offices for aging and legal aid organizations.