Most legal services are usually offered at a fee. In most cases, the fee is usually quite high, especially if you wish to get the best representation in the interest of your case. Some individuals may afford to pay for such services, but many others do not have such financial capabilities. Getting free legal services will come as a great benefit to those who cannot afford to pay for the legal representation. There is a variety of free legal services that you can get. Some of the most common ones are highlighted below.
Legal services that you do not have to pay for
Public defense
You can get a public defender to represent you in court when you are charged with a criminal case. This comes as your right if you cannot afford to get your own attorney. A judge will assign your case to a lawyer from the office of public defense. The lawyer is supposed to work with you through the entire case. In case you do not win the case, you can decide to work with the same attorney in an appeal. You will not be required to pay anything for the services of the public defender.
Pro bono
Pro bono is usually offered by private attorneys and law firms. Different firms have different criteria on how they take on pro bono cases, but they all usually work to the interest of the client. However, the free services are only offered to individuals who have very low income. Having an income that is less than 125% of federal poverty level is the general qualification, but some prevailing conditions can call for exceptions.
Law school clinics
Various law schools set up clinics that offer free legal services to individuals who cannot afford to pay for such services otherwise. Your case will be handled by the law students, but an experienced and highly qualified attorney will supervise them. The case is likely to be handled by more than one student, meaning that you will have more legal power working for you. Another benefit is that the services can cover nearly all areas of law, depending on what the particular law school offers.
Social justice organizations
Some organizations offer free legal services for cases involving social justice. Examples include the cases where rights and freedoms have been violated. The principles of the organization will determine who benefits from the free services.…
Lawyers or law firms usually offer their services for a fee. In most cases, you may have to pay for the services from your account, irrespective of whether you will win or lose the case. You should, therefore, consider the cost that the particular lawyer that you choose will charge you before signing a contract with him. Different lawyers charge differently depending on various factors such as experience. Your budget will obviously determine who you will choose regarding the fees they charge. However, avoid working with lawyers that charge too low without any charitable cause, as it may be an indication of their incompetence.