NLSA strives to ensure access to justice by providing free “civil” legal services to low income individuals and families. We were created to address the lack of basic legal assistance in civil matters for those without the means to hire a private attorney. While the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteed indigent defendants the right to counsel in criminal matters, there is at present no equivalent right for victims of violence, for those unlawfully evicted, for those unfairly denied government benefits, or for those in danger of losing a child in a custody battle.
Depending on the particular civil legal problems, we may provide direct representation, advice, assistance in self-representation, brief service/limited legal assistance or referral to a private attorney (including free and reduced-fee). We also provide community education on legal topics. Free interpretation services are provided to those with limited English abilities and the hearing-impaired.
