State Resources

  • AZ LAW HELP is a resource that makes it easy to apply for legal help, get access to court forms, and ask questions for citizens in the state of Arizona.

  • ALABAMA LEGAL HELP is an independent, non-profit organization that provides qualifying low-income families with legal aid and assistance in civil matters. LSA is a statewide program serving all 67 counties in Alabama.

  • ALASKA LAW HELP is a guide to civil legal services and resources for low-income persons and seniors in Alaska. This site provides information on various free and low-cost legal programs in Alaska, including basic eligibility and contact information. Here you can find links to web sites offering helpful information, schedules of free self-help clinics, forms, and legal education documents that give you basic information on a number of legal problems.

  • ALLIANCE OF FAMILIES FOR JUSTICE helps provide a vital set of services to incarcerated individuals and their families, including legal aid, information, and representation.

  • ARKANSAS LAW HELP is an online resource to empower Arkansas residents with legal information and resources. This site helps residents access legal information and apply for legal aid.

  • LAW HELP CA is California's official and free legal resource. It is regularly updated to provide information about common legal issues that is not limited to 16 general topics with over 140 specific subtopics. All of these topics are written by reputable sources.

  • CTLawHelp.org was created by several nonprofit legal services organizations whose shared mission is to improve the lives of Connecticut's low-income residents by providing free legal services. This website seeks to further the goal of equal access to justice by providing self-help materials on legal issues.

  • COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES is a non-profit site that provides (if eligible) free legal advice, clinics, and representation for low-income residents of Colorado.

  • DELegalHelpLink.org is provided as a public service by Delaware's nonprofit civil legal services providers and other justice community partners. It provides referral information about free civil legal services so individuals can find help from the most appropriate nonprofit legal aid organization or other community legal resources. This resource also contains a directory of legitimate and pre-screened organizations that offer free or low-cost legal advice, representation, and other services.

  • FLORIDA LAW HELP is a free website with information about laws in Florida . There is information about going to court, legal forms, free and low-cost legal service programs, and lawyer referral programs.

  • GEORGIA LEGAL AID provides residents with legal resources specific to the state of Georgia.

  • GUAM LEGAL SERVICES is an organization that helps to promote, educate, and advocate for equal rights and access to justice for our underserved communities. This site looks to ensure that those in the community become self-reliant and knowledgeable of their civil rights and liberties through client-centered services.

  • THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAII, a public interest, non-profit law firm that helps individuals and families who cannot afford to hire a private attorney with their civil legal needs. Services range from brief counsel and advice to full representation in some cases.

  • IDAHO LEGAL AID SERVICES is a nonprofit statewide organization dedicated to providing equal access to justice for low-income people through quality advocacy and education.

  • ILLINOIS LEGAL AID ONLINE is a website that provides legal aid, information, and support to residents of Illinois.

  • INDIANA LEGAL SERVICES, is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state of Indiana.

  • IOWA LEGAL AID is a nonprofit organization providing critical legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans who have nowhere else to turn. Along with volunteer lawyers throughout the state, Iowa Legal Aid helps the legal system work for those who cannot afford help with legal issues.

  • KY JUSTICE is a site created through a partnership of Kentucky's four legal aid programs and the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission. KY Justice provides legal self-help resources, information, and referrals to people in need of civil legal representation.

  • KANSAS LEGAL SERVICES, a statewide non-profit corporation, is devoted to helping low income Kansans meet their basic needs through the provision of important legal and mediation services.

  • LOUISIANA LAW HELP is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Louisiana. This site provides legal education materials and tools that give you basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help you represent yourself in court.

  • LAW HELP MN is a project of the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition (MLSC). There are seven legal aid programs that help low-income residents with a variety of legal matters.

  • MSLegalServices.org is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income people in Mississippi. Here you can locate information on all of the free legal aid programs in Mississippi, including but not limited to basic eligibility and contact information.

  • PINE TREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE (MAINE) is committed to making the justice system more accessible for all Mainers, regardless of income. Some of the aspects of the legal process they help with include advocacy, providing quality information about your rights, and providing community legal education.

  • MASS LEGAL HELP (MASSACHUSETTS) connects, supports, and educates the general public on legal information. The content on the website is written by people in the legal services community.

  • MISSOURI LEGAL SERVICES provides low-income and disadvantaged individuals access to legal representation or legal advice in Missouri. In some counties, access to an online application is available.

  • MontanaLawHelp.org is a project of the Montana Legal Services Association. The project is funded by the National Legal Services Corporation and the Montana Justice Foundation. This site helps connect residents of Montana with legal help. It is an easy way to apply for services and advice clinics. Self-help forms are also available here.

  • LAW HELP NC is a resource to help residents of NC access legal services and aid. It helps residents of NC access lawyers and other services such as finding necessary forms and information.

  • LawHelpNY.org, powered by Pro Bono Net, is an online tool for helping connect New York residents with legal assistance.

  • IDAHO LEGAL AID SERVICES is a website that provides legal aid and services to residents of Nebraska.

  • NEVADA LEGAL SERVICES can help with a variety of legal issues. They primarily assist with housing cases where tenants are facing eviction or termination of their subsidized housing, where individuals and families are applying for and are denied or terminated from SNAP, TANF, or other government benefits, denials of Unemployment Benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, sealing criminal and eviction records, and more.

  • NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGAL AID purpose is to assist in the delivery of legal services to low-income clients and to provide accurate information to the community. It is a joint effort of the Legal Services Agencies serving New Hampshire's low-income population.

  • Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free legal advice to low-income people in New Jersey. Find legal information by clicking on a legal topic or typing a few words into the search box.

  • NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID provides low-income and disadvantaged individuals access to legal information and articles concerning New Mexico law. Links to other websites that provide legal information, articles, and forms are included on this site as well.

  • LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF NEW YORK CITY helps protect and defend the rights of everyday New Yorkers who need legal support.

  • LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTH DAKOTA mission is to provide high quality legal advice, education, and representation for North Dakota residents.

  • OHIO LEGAL HELP leverages technology and innovation to improve justice and fairness for all Ohio residents. This website is a resource meant to educate Ohio residents on their legal options, make informed decisions, and connect to both legal and community resources.

  • LEGAL AID SERVICES OF OKLAHOMA helps provide residents of Oklahoma with access to legal information and services, including forms, court help, and finding representation.

  • OREGON LAW HELP is a guide to legal information and free civil legal services for low-income people in Oregon. Here you can locate information on a variety of legal issues, as well as information on how to contact programs providing legal assistance. Services are provided throughout the state but due to resource limitations, not every community has a legal aid office.

  • PA LAW HELP is a guide to legal information and civil legal services for low-income people in Pennsylvania. Here you can locate information on a variety of legal issues, as well as information on how to contact programs providing legal assistance in Pennsylvania.

  • AYUDA LEGAL PUERTO RICO is a resource for residents of Puerto Rico that need legal help. This site aims to promote access to justice in Puerto Rico through open and accessible legal information.

  • SOUTH CAROLINA LEGAL SERVICE provide the public with basic legal information and resources in South Carolina.

  • SOUTH DAKOTA LAW HELP is a website that provides legal information for residents of South Dakota. It provides legal forms and resources that are of little to no cost.

  • TENNESSEE ALLIANCE FOR LEGAL SERVICES strengthens the delivery of civil legal help to Tennesseans by simplifying the search for legal assistance.

  • THE PEOPLE'S LAW LIBRARY is a legal information and self-help website maintained by the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, and supported by Maryland's non-profit legal services providers, Maryland pro bono attorneys, and the legal academic community.

  • UTAH LEGAL SERVICES provides legal information and resources to Utah residents. There is legal information regarding (but not limited to) food stamps, domestic violence, housing, and medicaid.

  • VA LEGAL AID is a Virginia Partnership for Equal Justice Website Project. Virginia legal aid offices and their partners provide accurate and updated information on poverty law issues in an interactive and easily accessible format. The intent is to allow access to this information by legal aid attorneys, pro bono attorneys, clients, and providers of services to legal aid's traditional client base.

  • VERMONT LEGAL AID is a website that contains information pertaining to Vermont residents about legal issues.

  • LEGAL SERVICES OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS help provide access to legal aid and services to residents of the Virgin Islands. Some specific services include: domestic violence, housing and foreclosure, elderly and disabled, economic stability, education, and health.

  • WASHINGTON LAW HELP is a resource to help residents of Washington access legal services and aid (information and forms for various topics).

  • LEGAL AID OF WEST VIRGINIA is a statewide nonprofit organization providing free legal services and advocacy.

  • LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN is an organization providing free civil legal services to Wisconsin residents.

  • LEGAL AID OF WYOMING provides free legal help to low-income individuals in Wyoming.

Legal Resources

CRIMINAL VS. CIVIL CASES

Understanding the differences between criminal and civil cases in incidents of police violence is crucial. According to the Department of Justice, criminal cases and civil cases are investigated and handled separately, even if they arise from the same incident. In a criminal case, the government prosecutes the accused individual, requiring evidence that proves guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." In contrast, civil cases involve action against a governmental authority or law enforcement agency, with evidence needing only to meet the lower standard of a "preponderance of the evidence." The goals also differ: criminal cases focus on holding an individual accountable, often through prison or other penalties, while civil cases aim to reform law enforcement policies and practices found to facilitate misconduct.

PREPARING FOR RETALIATION

Retaliation from law enforcement is a common concern for families seeking police accountability. If you encounter further misconduct, you can file a complaint through the Department of Justice's publication, which enables anyone to report allegations for both criminal and civil enforcement.

BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE AND THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY

Access to body camera footage is often critical in cases involving police misconduct. Each law enforcement agency has unique policies and procedures regarding these records. For guidance, consult the Body-Worn Cameras InteractiveDatabase from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Requesting body camera footage promptly is strongly recommended, as it can be vital for courtroom proceedings or raising public awareness about the incident.

National Resources

  • The ABA offers affordable consultation with lawyers if ever you have legal questions. This service is completely free for those who qualify and remains available to you free of charge.

  • Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their civil legal question to their state's website, or to the federal site. Users will then be emailed when their question receives a response. Attorney volunteers, who are authorized to provide pro bono assistance in their state, log in to the website to select questions to answer, and provide legal information/advice. Volunteer attorneys will not answer criminal law questions.

  • The California Innocence Project advocates for law reform and provides legal assistance to innocent people who have been wrongfully incarcerated.

  • The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CCR is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.

  • This website provides referrals to local legal aid and public interest law offices, general information about legal rights, court forms, self-help information, court information, links to social service agencies, and more in Washington D.C.

  • The Legal Services Corporation provides an active search engine for legal aid organizations within your area. Additionally, LawHelp.org provides a directory of legal clinics by state.

  • The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Using the power of law, narrative, research, and people, it defends and advances the full dignity and citizenship of Black people in America.