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Can I get affordable legal help

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for a domestic violence case?

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Possibly.

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Ask the criminal court about

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appointed counsel, or seek

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civil legal aid for a

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protective order.

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State rules matter.

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If you face a criminal charge

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and cannot afford a lawyer,

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tell the court that you want

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appointed defense counsel.

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Ask how to apply and what

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financial information is

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required.

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Your eligibility depends on the

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proceeding and applicable

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rules.

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A public defender or another

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appointed attorney may

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represent you.

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Ask to speak with counsel

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before deciding on a plea or

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giving up the right to a

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lawyer.

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A civil protective order is a

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separate kind of case, even

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when the same events also lead

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to criminal charges.

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A criminal defense appointment

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does not automatically cover

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that hearing.

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State law can provide

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additional rights.

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For example, in New York family

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offense proceedings, both the

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person applying and the person

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responding can receive

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appointed counsel if

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financially eligible.

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Ask your own court about its

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rules.

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For civil help, use the Legal

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Services Corporation directory

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to find a legal aid

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organization serving your area.

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Ask whether it handles

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protective orders, which side

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of the case it can assist, and

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whether you qualify.

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These programs may help with

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domestic violence and related

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family issues.

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An inquiry is not acceptance of

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your case.

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Ask whether the help includes

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advice, documents or

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representation at the hearing.

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If one program cannot help, ask

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for another referral.

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A state or local bar referral

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service, a law school clinic,

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or a nonprofit legal program

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may offer other options.

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Ask about free services,

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reduced fees or help with only

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part of a civil case where

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allowed.

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Confirm the cost and who

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handles each task.

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A short consultation is not the

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same as full representation.

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The prosecutor represents the

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government, not the victim as a

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private client.

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A victim advocate may help with

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support and information, but

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that role does not

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automatically include legal

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representation.

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Court self-help services can

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explain procedures where

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available.

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Before sharing sensitive

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details, ask who the person

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works for, whether they are

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your lawyer, and what

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confidentiality protections

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apply.

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Tell the service immediately if

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a hearing or filing deadline is

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close.

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Ask when it can give you an

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answer about representation,

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and keep seeking help if no

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lawyer has accepted.

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Asking for help does not itself

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postpone court or cancel an

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order.

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If you need more time, ask the

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court how to request it.

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Unless the court changes its

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instructions, keep following

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them.

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Have the court name, case

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number, hearing date and all

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orders or papers ready.

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Explain whether you are accused

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of a crime, applying for

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protection, responding to an

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application, or dealing with

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more than one case.

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Ask what financial documents

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the service needs.

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Request an interpreter or

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accessibility assistance if

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needed, and agree on a safe way

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for the service to contact you.

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If you are in immediate danger,

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contact emergency services.

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The emergency number and the

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National Domestic Violence

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Hotline number are on screen.

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The Hotline can help with

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safety planning and local

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referrals;

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that is separate from having a

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lawyer.

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If someone may monitor your

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phone or computer, consider a

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safer device or contact method.

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Private browsing does not

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guarantee privacy.

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Read the full answer and

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sources at Legal Hotline dot

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com, with a hyphen between

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Legal and Hotline.

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Our United States number is on

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screen for free general legal

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information.

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Legal Hotline is an information

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service,

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not a law firm;

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lawyer matching is separate.

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This is a national starting

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point.

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Eligibility and representation

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depend on your court, state and

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circumstances.