# Access to Legal Help Part of the Law Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/index.md) *Justice for All* > **10.** Tell where people can go to obtain the help of a lawyer if they are unable to pay for one. Tell what you can do if you can afford a lawyer but do not know of any in your area. ## Justice Should Not Depend on Your Wallet The idea that everyone deserves equal justice under the law is one of the most important principles in our legal system. But hiring a lawyer can be expensive — often hundreds of dollars per hour. So what happens if you need legal help but cannot afford it? And what if you can afford a lawyer but do not know where to find one? This requirement covers both situations. ## If You Cannot Afford a Lawyer ### Public Defenders (Criminal Cases) The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that anyone accused of a crime has the right to an attorney. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire your own lawyer, the court will appoint a **public defender** to represent you at no cost. This right was established by the landmark Supreme Court case **Gideon v. Wainwright** (1963). > **Did You Know?** > > Clarence Earl Gideon was a poor man from Florida charged with breaking into a pool hall. He could not afford a lawyer, and the court refused to appoint one. Gideon hand-wrote a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court from his prison cell — and won. The Court ruled unanimously that states must provide free lawyers to defendants who cannot afford one. His case changed American justice forever. ### Legal Aid Societies (Civil Cases) For civil matters — like eviction, divorce, immigration, or consumer disputes — there is no constitutional right to a free lawyer. However, **legal aid organizations** provide free or low-cost legal services to people who qualify based on income. Nearly every state and major city has a legal aid society. ### Pro Bono Services Many private lawyers donate a portion of their time to work for free — called **pro bono** work (short for the Latin phrase "pro bono publico," meaning "for the public good"). The American Bar Association recommends that every lawyer contribute at least 50 hours of pro bono service per year. ### Law School Clinics Law schools across the country run **legal clinics** where law students — supervised by experienced professors — provide free legal help to people in the community. These clinics handle real cases and give students hands-on experience while helping people who need it. ### Other Free Resources **Free and Low-Cost Legal Resources** — Places to get help when money is tight - [ ] **ABA Free Legal Answers**: An online Q&A site where volunteer lawyers answer legal questions for free (abafreelegalanswers.org). - [ ] **LawHelp.org**: Helps people find free legal aid programs in their state. - [ ] **State and local bar association hotlines**: Many bar associations offer free legal information lines or lawyer referral services with reduced-fee initial consultations. - [ ] **Courthouse self-help centers**: Many courthouses have free walk-in help centers where staff can assist you with forms and procedures (though they cannot give legal advice). - [ ] **Nonprofit legal organizations**: Groups like the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Legal Services Corporation provide free legal representation in specific types of cases. ## If You Can Afford a Lawyer but Don't Know One Finding the right lawyer for your specific situation is important. Here are the best ways to find one: ### Lawyer Referral Services Most state and local bar associations run **lawyer referral services**. You call the service, describe your legal issue, and they connect you with a qualified lawyer in your area who handles that type of case. Many offer a reduced-fee initial consultation (often around $30–50 for 30 minutes). ### Online Directories Reputable legal directories let you search for lawyers by location and specialty: - The **ABA Lawyer Referral Directory** lists certified lawyer referral programs nationwide - State bar association websites let you verify that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing ### Personal Referrals Ask people you trust — family members, friends, coworkers, your employer — if they know a good lawyer. Personal recommendations are one of the most common ways people find legal representation. ### Your Employer or Union Some employers offer **legal assistance plans** as an employee benefit, similar to health insurance. Labor unions may also provide legal services to their members. > **Tip** > > For your counselor discussion, know at least **three options** for people who cannot afford a lawyer and **two ways** to find a lawyer if you can afford one but do not know any. Use specific names and resources — "legal aid society" and "lawyer referral service" sound much stronger than "just look online." [Find Legal Help — LawHelp.org](https://www.lawhelp.org/): Find free legal aid programs, information, and court help in your state. [ABA Free Legal Answers](https://abafreelegalanswers.org/): A virtual legal advice clinic where volunteer lawyers answer civil legal questions online for free. ![A welcoming legal aid office with a sign reading Free Legal Help where a staff member assists a family](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/law/guide/legal-aid-office?v=a599ff99) --- --- - Previous: [Jobs in Law](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/req9/index.md) - Next: [Areas of Law](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/req11/index.md)