Free legal help is available in the US, but where you find it depends on two things: whether your problem is criminal or civil, and how much help you need. If you can’t afford a lawyer in a criminal case where jail is possible, the Constitution generally guarantees one. In civil cases, such as evictions, debt, family matters or benefits, there is no general right to a free lawyer. Instead, a patchwork of legal aid offices, volunteer programs, law school clinics and court self-help centers fills the gap. This guide sorts those options by the kind of problem you have and the level of help each one offers.
Free legal help starts with one question: criminal or civil?
The single biggest factor in finding free legal help is whether you are facing a criminal charge or a civil problem, because the rules on free lawyers are completely different. Criminal cases come with a constitutional right to counsel in many situations. Civil cases mostly don’t.
| Criminal case | Civil case | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Felony or misdemeanor charges | Eviction, debt collection, divorce, custody, benefits, wages |
| Right to a free lawyer? | Yes, in many cases, if you can’t afford one | Generally no |
| Main source of free help | Court-appointed counsel, often a public defender | Legal aid, pro bono programs, clinics, self-help centers |
| How you get it | Ask the court at your first appearance | Apply to a program and meet its eligibility rules |
The next section covers criminal cases. After that, the guide turns to civil help, starting with legal aid.
Criminal cases: your right to an appointed lawyer
In Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the Supreme Court held that a defendant in a state felony case who can’t afford a lawyer has a Sixth Amendment right to have one appointed. The Court called counsel a “fundamental right essential to a fair trial.”
Later, in Argersinger v. Hamlin (1972), the Court extended the principle. No one may be jailed for any offense, whether a felony, a misdemeanor or a petty offense, unless they had a lawyer at trial or knowingly and intelligently gave up that right.
What this means in practice
- People charged with a crime who can’t afford a lawyer usually raise it with the judge at their first court appearance.
- The court will typically ask about your finances to decide whether you qualify.
- Many places assign a public defender. Others appoint private lawyers who are paid by the court.
- Financial rules and procedures differ from state to state and court to court.
Before that first appearance, it also helps to know your rights when police want to talk. Our guide on whether you have to answer police questions covers the basics.
Free legal help in civil cases: start with legal aid
Legal aid organizations are nonprofits that give free legal help in civil cases to people with low incomes, and they are the closest thing to a public defender for civil problems. Many focus on high-stakes issues such as housing, family safety, public benefits and consumer debt.
The largest funder is the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). By its own description, LSC funds 129 independent legal aid organizations, which run more than 900 offices across all 50 states, D.C. and the US territories.
Who qualifies for free legal help from legal aid?
Each LSC-funded program sets an income ceiling no higher than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, under 45 C.F.R. § 1611.3. Programs also set limits on assets. In addition, there are exceptions. For instance, someone seeking to keep low-income government benefits may qualify above 125%. A program may also go up to 200% of the guidelines in some situations, such as applicants trying to get disability benefits or those with high unreimbursed medical costs.
The poverty guidelines themselves are published each year by the federal government. Because the dollar figures change, check the program’s current numbers rather than relying on an old chart.
How to find a legal aid office
- Use LSC’s find legal aid locator to look up the funded program for your address.
- Call or apply online, and be ready to describe your problem and your household income.
- Gather key papers, such as court notices, leases, letters from creditors or benefit denials.
- Ask about timing; demand is high, so not every case gets full representation.
LSC also refers people to LawHelp.org for free legal information and forms. Those are useful even if you don’t qualify for a lawyer.
Pro bono lawyer programs: free legal help from volunteers
A pro bono lawyer is a private attorney who takes a case for free, usually through an organized program run by a bar association, a legal aid office or a law firm. Pro bono programs often handle cases that legal aid can’t take because of capacity or funding limits.
Here is how people usually find one:
- Ask legal aid for a referral. Many legal aid offices pass cases to volunteer lawyers.
- Contact your state or local bar. Many bars run volunteer lawyer programs or clinics.
- Look for issue-specific groups. Some nonprofits focus on veterans, seniors, tenants or immigrants.
Expect screening. Like legal aid, most pro bono programs check income and the type of case before matching you with a lawyer.
Free legal help without full representation
Not every problem needs a lawyer to take the whole case — sometimes a short answer from a lawyer is enough to point you in the right direction. Several free options focus on advice rather than representation.
ABA Free Legal Answers
ABA Free Legal Answers is a free online legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post civil legal questions, and volunteer lawyers licensed in their state answer them. It gives information and basic advice, not ongoing representation. Users must meet the income rules that apply in their state. If a state doesn’t take part, the site points people to FindLegalHelp.org.
Law school legal clinic
Many law schools run clinics where students, supervised by licensed lawyers, help real clients for free. Clinics often focus on specific areas, such as housing, immigration, small business or criminal defense. Since clinics follow the school calendar, they may not take new cases at every point in the year. Call the clinic directly to ask what it handles.
Court self-help centers
Many courts run self-help centers or offer staff who explain forms and procedures to people without lawyers. They can’t give legal advice about your case, but they can help you understand what to file and how. Check your local court’s website for hours and services.
Low cost lawyer options when free legal help isn’t available
When you earn too much for free legal help but still can’t afford a lawyer at full price, a few lower-cost paths can bridge the gap.
- Limited-scope help. Under the ABA model rules, a lawyer may limit the scope of a representation if the limit is reasonable and the client gives informed consent. Some states require that consent in writing. This lets you pay for a specific task, like reviewing a document, instead of a whole case.
- Bar referral services. The ABA’s lawyer referral directory lists bar-sponsored referral services by city and state. Ask whether a service offers reduced-fee initial consultations.
- Contingency fees. In some civil cases, such as many injury claims, a lawyer is paid only from any recovery. This isn’t allowed in criminal defense, or for fees that depend on getting a divorce or on support amounts.
- Fee-shifting laws. Some laws let a winning plaintiff recover attorney fees from the other side. For example, the federal wage and overtime law requires the court to award a reasonable fee to a worker who wins.
For a state example of task-by-task help, see unbundled legal services in Arizona. To compare billing methods more broadly, read how lawyers charge.
Matching common problems to the right kind of help
Different programs tend to focus on different problems, so a quick match saves calls and waiting. The examples below are general patterns, not promises about any program.
Facing an eviction
Housing is a common priority for legal aid offices. Because eviction cases can move quickly, many tenants contact legal aid as soon as they get a notice. If legal aid can’t take the case, the court’s self-help center can usually explain the forms and the hearing process.
Sued over a debt
Consumer debt cases are another frequent legal aid issue. Also, a federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, lets a consumer who successfully sues a debt collector recover a reasonable attorney’s fee. That can make some lawyers willing to take these cases at little upfront cost. Our guide on what to do if you’re sued over a debt walks through the first steps.
Unpaid wages
When a worker wins a federal wage or overtime case, the court must order the employer to pay a reasonable attorney’s fee. As a result, some employment lawyers take these claims without charging the worker up front.
Family matters
Divorce and custody cases are often handled by legal aid, pro bono programs and family law clinics. In addition, some states let a court order one spouse to help pay the other’s attorney fees. California’s family code, for example, directs courts to ensure each party has access to legal representation.
Getting ready before you ask for free legal help
Free programs are busy, so arriving prepared helps them decide quickly whether and how they can help you. A little organization goes a long way.
- Write a short summary of the problem in a few sentences.
- List any court dates or deadlines, with the date you received each notice.
- Gather proof of income for everyone in your household.
- Bring copies of key documents, such as leases, contracts, letters and court papers.
- Note the names of the other people or companies involved.
Above all, act early. If you have a court date coming up, mention it first when you call. Deadlines don’t pause while you look for a lawyer.
The bottom line
Free legal help comes in different forms depending on your problem. In criminal cases where jail is possible, you generally have a right to a court-appointed lawyer if you can’t afford one, and the request usually goes to the judge. In civil cases, start with your local legal aid office, then try pro bono programs, law school clinics, ABA Free Legal Answers and court self-help centers. If you earn too much for free help, limited-scope services and bar referral programs can keep costs down. Whatever route you choose, start early and bring your documents.
Frequently asked questions
In criminal cases, courts appoint lawyers for people who cannot afford one. In civil cases, the usual starting point is your local legal aid office, then look at pro bono programs, law school clinics, ABA Free Legal Answers and court self-help centers.
The request for an appointed lawyer usually goes to the judge at the first appearance. Under Gideon v. Wainwright and Argersinger v. Hamlin, you generally cannot be jailed unless you had a lawyer or knowingly gave up that right, and courts appoint counsel for people who qualify.
Generally no. Civil problems such as evictions, debt and family matters rely on legal aid, volunteer programs and clinics rather than a general right to appointed counsel.
Each program funded by the Legal Services Corporation sets an income ceiling no higher than 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, plus asset limits. Some exceptions allow help above that level, up to 200 percent in certain situations.
The Legal Services Corporation website has a locator that finds the funded program for your address. LSC also refers people to LawHelp.org for free legal information and forms.
Many people ask their legal aid office for a referral or contact their state or local bar association about volunteer lawyer programs. Most programs screen for income and case type first.
Law students supervised by licensed lawyers help real clients for free, often in focused areas such as housing or immigration. Clinics follow the school calendar, so call to ask what they are taking.
It is a free online clinic where qualifying users post civil legal questions and volunteer lawyers licensed in their state answer. It offers information and basic advice, not ongoing representation, and each state sets its own income rules.
Usually not. Self-help centers explain forms and procedures for people without lawyers, but they do not advise you on your own case.
Options include limited-scope help for a single task, bar-sponsored referral services, contingency fees in some civil cases, and laws that let a winning plaintiff recover attorney fees.
Keep reading: Online Legal Services vs Lawyer Help · Can You Negotiate Attorney Fees? · How to Find a Lawyer: 6 Places to Start Looking
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Get MatchedThis article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility rules for free and low-cost legal services vary by program and by state. Nothing here predicts the outcome of any case.
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