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Silicon Valley

Lawyers & Courts

This section offers information on the wide range of free legal service options available to legal consumers. If you have a legal problem, lawyers may be available to you free of charge. In order to qualify for a free lawyer, many legal aid and legal service agencies require that you show that you are unable to hire a lawyer because of a lack of finances or that your income falls at or below a certain percentage of the federal poverty guidelines. Some courts may also require that papers be filled out in order to prove that you cannot pay a lawyer. If you do not meet income requirements to qualify for certain legal aid programs, legal clinics and pro bono programs are available where lawyers offer their services for free or at reduced rates.

• General Information Links resources from around the country related to legal aid, legal clinics and pro bono programs.
• Legal Aid/Legal Services For the most part, lawyers in a legal aid office provide the same legal services as other lawyers.
• Legal Clinics/Pro Bono Like many legal aid providers, some clinics and programs offer their services only to low income individuals who meet specific income levels.
• State Information Links to legal aid, legal clinics and pro bono programs in your state.