There are a number of strategies for getting free legal help in New York. Much depends on the type of case, criminal or civil. Another important factor is the type of civil case and the remedy that an individual seeks. A New York legal consultation would help a person understand what kind of free or low-cost legal services and legal advice are available in that state.
The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) is an agency of the State of New York. It licenses and regulates New York lawyers.
The NYSBA Lawyer Referral and Information Services can connect a member of the public with an attorney from a panel of attorneys who have been vetted by the NYSBA. The individual would complete an online form in order to get a referral. The NYSBA would then assign them an attorney for a potential consultation. LegalMatch can also help a person find a lawyer.
These referrals are made free of charge, and any consultation that they would have with a lawyer to whom they are referred would cost $35 for 30 minutes. Applications for a referral are available online only at this website: https://nysba.intouchondemand.com/findlawyer/search
An individual can represent themselves for free if they file their civil complaint in a New York small claims court. They may seek up to $10,000 or less without attorney help. When a person chooses to sue in small claims court, they agree to waive any amount of damages above the allowed maximum of $10,000. They cannot recover more than the limit, even if they prove they are entitled to more. But there are significant advantages to small claims court as follows:
- Court filing fees are lower in small claims than in other courts.
- The process is faster in small claims than in other courts.
- Small claims court hearings generally start at 6:30 p.m. A senior citizen, a disabled person, or a person who works during the evening may ask that their hearing be heard during the day
- A person generally has to represent themselves and this keeps the cost low.
LegalMatch.com is another resource. At the LegalMatch website, an individual can present their legal case to lawyers who have been pre-screened lawyers and work in the city or county where the individual resides. Experienced local lawyers review it and respond with an offer to represent the individual if they feel they have a good case. Their offer would include their fee structure, background, and ratings by other LegalMatch users.
Is Free Legal Help Available for Criminal Cases in New York?
It is important to understand that an individual who has been charged with a criminal offense may have a right to be represented by an attorney. If the punishment is possible time behind bars in a county jail or state or federal prison, the accused has the right to be represented by an attorney. This is provided by the 6th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the New York Constitution, as well.
If a defendant cannot afford to hire an attorney in a criminal case in which they have a right to one, then the court would appoint an attorney to represent them. The court-appointed attorney would be paid by the government. Often, in urban areas, counties have a public defender office. The attorneys on its staff exclusively represent defendants who cannot afford to pay a lawyer.
In some rural counties, the county government may pay an attorney who also practices privately as the court-appointed attorney for a person who has been charged with a crime but cannot afford a lawyer. An individual who has been charged with a crime may also always represent themselves, but this is not recommended.
Under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a suspect in a criminal investigation also has the right to an attorney when they are interrogated in police custody. This is true even if they have not been charged with any crime.
A person could be in police custody while at a police station, in the back of a police car, standing on a street corner, or even in their own home. The key in most cases is that the person does not feel free to leave because of the actions of the police.
Again, LegalMatch.com can provide a lawyer who will review a person’s criminal case at no charge and tell them if there is a good defense available to them. LegalMatch.com can quickly connect a person who has been charged with a crime to a criminal defense attorney.
In What Other Areas of Law May Free Legal Help Be Available in New York?
As noted below, free legal help with some cases that involve issues of important public policy. A person may be able to get legal help at a low cost from a legal aid society or non-profit organization.
Another option for “free” legal help may be an individual’s insurance policies. Certain kinds of insurance policies provide coverage for attorney’s fees if a person is sued. The policy might also pay any settlement for which a person is found liable.
In many cases, the personal liability portion of an individual’s insurance policy would pay for their defense in a civil lawsuit, regardless of the outcome of the suit. This means that the insurance company would pay an individual’s attorney’s fees. The kinds of policies that would do this include homeowners’ insurance, auto insurance, condo insurance, and other types of policies as well.
LegalMatch.com can put a person in touch with a lawyer who could review their insurance coverage and determine if any of their policies would pay for their legal representation if they have been sued.
This insurance liability coverage may also help pay the other party’s damages if the insured is found liable for paying damages. Of course, a policy would only pay up to the policy limits.
If an individual is sued by a third party who accuses them of conduct that is covered by their business insurance policy, their policy would cover all the attorney’s fees for representation required to defend them. A business liability insurance policy would pay the fees of an attorney to represent the business if it is sued in a civil lawsuit. It would also pay court fees and any settlements or awards that the business is ordered to pay if the business is found liable.
A person or business would not be covered if the case involves actions that are excluded from coverage. Many policies do not cover intentional harm done to another by a person, professional or business, so an insurance company would not pay attorney’s fees, costs or amounts paid as damages in connection with an intentional, malicious act.
An independent insurance agent or attorney can review an individual’s or business’s insurance policies in order to determine exactly what they cover and what is excluded from coverage.
Professional liability insurance for doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants and other professionals is designed to pay for their defense if they are sued for malpractice. In addition, the professional liability insurance would also pay an award of damages for which the professional is liable as allowed by the policy limits.
If a person is sued in a civil lawsuit, they would want to review their insurance coverage with their lawyer. Again, LegalMatch.com can quickly connect a person to a lawyer who can perform this service for them.
Find My Lawyer Now!
What Is Legal Aid?
Legal aid societies are non-profit groups that offer legal help to low-income New Yorkers.
Pro Bono Net is a national non-profit organization that works with legal organizations across the U.S. and Canada to offer access to legal representation for poor citizens who have legal issues but cannot afford to hire a lawyer for help.
LawHelpNY is a non-profit organization. Among the many ways in which it strives to help people who do not have the resources to hire expensive lawyers, it offers a “search legal directory” on its website that helps a person find free legal services in New York.
The Legal Aid Society of New York City helps the citizens of that city help with legal problems in a variety of kinds of cases, e.g., arrests and policing, employment, family law and domestic violence and others. If a person does not live in New York City, they should contact the Legal Aid Society of New York City for a referral to a legal aid society in their area of the state.
What Are Law Clinics?
Most law schools have programs that allow students to get real-life experience in providing legal assistance. They may offer their services to people who are underrepresented or other organizations. The students generally work under the supervision of law professors on the school’s faculty.
They provide their legal services at low or no cost. A person who lives near a law school may contact the school and ask if it has a law clinic that could help them with their issue.
Is There Free Legal Help for Social Justice Claims in New York?
There are a number of well-known non-profit organizations that offer significant legal support to social justice causes. The American Civil Liberties Union has been supporting cases involving civil rights, e.g., the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, for decades.
The Innocence Project works to establish the innocence of people who have been sentenced to long prison terms, because they were wrongly convicted of serious criminal offenses.
A person who has a claim that involves an interest associated with social justice can always search for a comparable non-profit organization that serves their cause. Law clinics at law schools may offer the support of law students for various social justice causes as well.
What About Free Legal Help if I’ve Been Injured in New York?
A person who has been injured because of someone else’s negligence can probably locate a lawyer who would represent them on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer is not paid for their representation unless the client wins an award of damages in their case.
The lawyer is paid a percentage of the award. If the client does not win an award of damages, the lawyer is not paid and their legal help would have been free. LegalMatch.com can quickly connect a person who has been charged with a crime to a criminal defense attorney.
Can LegalMatch Help?
If you need a lawyer but believe that you cannot afford one, you want to consult a New York lawyer through LegalMatch.com. LegalMatch can quickly put you in touch with a lawyer who can review your options and help you find the legal representation you need at a low cost or possibly at no cost.
