There are several ways to access legal assistance depending on where you live. If your problem is more complicated and you need representation, CLEAR`s lawyer will try to refer you to a legal aid provider in your community. What is the Legal Services Corporation (LSC)? How does it fit into the overall picture of civil legal aid? LSC manages the federal government`s investments in civil legal aid. It is the largest funder of civil legal aid, but provides less than a quarter of the total funding nationally. Get help through the Legal Advice Line, a free legal helpline for qualified, low-income residents living in the Bay Area. The Legal Advice Line provides advice and guidance in all languages on a range of civil law matters. Lawyers can provide legal advice to a caller, schedule eligible clients for an appointment at a neighborhood office, or provide the caller with a useful referral to other social organizations if needed. If it appears that you are eligible, you will be referred to legal counsel. You will decide what advice you can get. It provides access to legal assistance to individuals to protect their livelihoods, health and families. Legal aid facilitates access to information, whether through easy-to-understand forms, including online forms; legal counsel or representation; and legal self-help centres – so that people can know their rights.

How does the volunteer work of lawyers fit into the picture? Pro bono legal representation is an essential part of civil legal aid and plays an important role in access to the civil justice system, but it is only part of the solution. Despite the vital work of pro bono lawyers, our country faces a huge justice deficit. The demand for legal aid far exceeds the resources available and, as a result, many of them navigate high-stakes legal situations on their own – where their families, homes and livelihoods are at stake. If you`re looking for basic information about the law, legal issues, and self-help solutions on a variety of topics, head over to WashingtonLawHelp. You will find hundreds of up-to-date brochures and materials on many topics that affect low-income people. These are organized according to categories of legal problems. We recommend that you call our HELPline as soon as possible if a legal problem arises and as often as necessary. Due to our high number of callers, there may be longer wait times to speak to a lawyer.

Our phone system offers a reminder feature that can save you space in the queue and prevent you from waiting to speak to a lawyer. Please note: Bay Area Legal Aid helps people with civil law issues. We do not provide assistance in criminal matters. If you need help with a criminal case, contact your local public defense attorney`s office or bar association. Find out if you are entitled to free legal assistance. Many middle-class families cannot afford a lawyer. How does legal aid help them in civil matters? Civil legal aid can help ensure that all members of the justice system are treated fairly, regardless of the amount of money they have. Civil legal assistance serves Americans of all backgrounds and ages, including those facing the most difficult legal challenges: children, veterans, the elderly, the sick or disabled, and victims of domestic violence. Civil legal aid takes many forms, and middle-class families can access many resources such as online information and forms, as well as mutual legal assistance centres. Based on the information you give to the CLEAR lawyer, they can give you oral or written advice that can help you solve your problem on your own.

They also have an extensive library of information materials to help you understand your legal rights and defend your own interests. If your problem is covered by any of these documents, CLEAR`s lawyer will send them to you free of charge. The legal advice line responds to more than 1,500 calls per month. Opening hours for incoming LAL calls may be closed before the advertised time due to high demand. If you are applying for legal aid, you may have to wait more than fifteen minutes for your call to be answered. Please be patient; Our lawyers work hard to answer all the calls we receive.