Free Legal Aid: What it is and How to Get it
Free legal aid services are invaluable resources provided to those who cannot afford the high cost of retaining an attorney. In Shreveport and surrounding areas, these services strive to ensure that basic legal rights are afforded to all, regardless of their financial status. Free legal aid is most often provided by local legal aid organizations, and in some cases, volunteer attorneys who offer pro bono legal representation in order to assist members of the local community.
The need for legal services often arises from sudden and unexpected situations such as divorce, child abuse, foreclosure on a home or lack of access to medical care, all of which can have a long-term, devastating impact on many families. Without free legal representation, low-income individuals, families and children would be at risk and unfairly subjected to the whims of the judicial system. Advocates for free legal aid services are currently working to strengthen the financial support these organizations receive.
In 2018, the Louisiana Bar Foundation reported that 62 percent of low-income people in Louisiana face a civil legal problem each year. That means for every six people experiencing a legal issue, only one can get help . The system is grossly overwhelmed and underfunded, and those who are unable to get assistance must desperately try to navigate through the court system on their own.
Legal aid groups across the country are working diligently to provide low-cost and no-cost services, including offering information through online legal resources and by telephone. With a larger need than free legal aid organizations can fulfill, some private firms have made a commitment to offer free legal aid services as well. In fact, some law firms also contribute fiscal support to local legal agencies.
For many locations, the need for free legal aid resources exceeds the amount of existing funding for the programs. The American Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association have taken notice and are working with legal aid agencies and lawmakers to identify effective ways to fund legal aid programs and ensure their continued existence.
Attorneys who offer free legal representation understand how essential this service is to the communities in which they serve. By providing civil legal assistance and offering other services such as clinics in various areas of the law, free legal aid providers can be a life-changing resource for residents in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Who is Eligible for Free Legal Aid?
When it comes to accessing legal aid, there are a few qualifiers that apply. The most important is whether your income level meets the standard. Currently, the Community Development Center in Shreveport will help low-income individuals as long as they (1) earn below 150% of the federal poverty line and (2) meet at least one of the following criteria:
● Have a disability
● Are homeless
● Are over age 60
● Are incarcerated
● Are a veteran
● Have been a victim of a natural disaster
● Are a person with HIV
● Have dependent children that are 18 years of age or younger
These criteria are in place to ensure those with the most need receive help. Generally, free legal aid isn’t available for those willing and able to pay. If you have enough money to hire a private attorney, it’s recommended to do so unless your case is simple in nature or involves a low dollar amount.
However, keep in mind that every situation is different and may be further evaluated based on other circumstances.
The Best Free Legal Aid in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana, is served by some public interest law firms that offer free or low-cost legal assistance as well as large law firms that have programs and partnerships in place to ensure that their attorneys provide pro bono support. Free legal aid may be available for a variety of civil matters from local bar associations, legal aid organizations, nonprofit groups, and law schools. The following are the leading organizations and law firms that offer free legal aid in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Legal Aid Society of Northwest Louisiana
Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office
Northwestern Louisiana Human Services District
Bynog Landis Law Firm, LLC
Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrère & Denègre LLP
Lacy J. LeBlanc, Pro Bono Attorney
How to Get Free Legal Aid in Shreveport, Louisiana
Applying for free legal assistance in Shreveport can feel like a daunting prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step is determining whether you qualify for assistance under the guidelines set forth by your local legal aid office. In many cases, eligibility requirements center on the applicant’s current income level, household size, and/or disability status. If you are not eligible for assistance or volunteer legal aid may not be immediately available, there are several other options worth considering. These include self-help legal aid services online, self-help legal clinics, and fee-based legal consultations to introduce you to local lawyers and their areas of practice. When applying for legal aid, you will be expected to provide information pertaining to your current personal income from all sources and that of your household as a whole; general information about your family size (i.e. how many members and their ages); and the nature of your legal issue(s), including any and all relevant documentation (e.g. lease, power of attorney, divorce decree). Information about the number of members in your household is especially important for those seeking legal aid benefits such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). The application process for free legal aid in Shreveport varies by organization. Some organizations require applicants to fill out an application for government benefits, which includes all financial information. Others utilize a pre-screening questionnaire to determine whether applicants are eligible for assistance. Generally speaking, applicants must then undergo and pass a phone interview before being assigned a volunteer for further review. If you are accepted into the program, a legal volunteer will work with you on your specific case. Legal aid services do not include criminal law issues, although several state programs provide free or reduced-price legal aid for minor criminal offenses (e.g. traffic violations). Legal aid typically involves civil matters only, such as protection orders, adoption, and divorce.
What Type of Legal Aid do they Offer?
The world of legal assistance can be complex and overwhelming, especially for those who are in a challenging financial situation. Free legal aid services have a special focus on safeguarding access to justice for individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to navigate the legal system. These services reduce costs for families and communities while giving individuals who cannot afford to pay for legal advice and representation a helping hand. In Shreveport, LA, free legal aid lawyers tackle a multitude of common legal issues, from employment matters to family law and more. Many legal aid options involve non-profit organizations that offer their support to low-income families. By working with these organizations, low-cost and free legal representation are made available to a wider swath of the population who may not have the time or resources to pursue legal representation without assistance . Legal aid lawyers in Shreveport frequently assist with housing issues, such as eviction concerns, landlord-tenant disputes, and obtaining a court order to prevent homelessness. They also help parents navigate child custody, child support and paternity cases. Employment issues, such as those involving employment termination or discrimination, are frequently addressed as well. From criminal cases and appeals to social security disability claims, there’s a wide range of practical support that can be had through a legal aid lawyer. In general, the goal of legal aid services is to be accessible to all. Whether through general legal education or direct representation, these individuals offer their talents to the community. For many low-income families, this is the best avenue for addressing legal issues.
The Pros and Cons of Free Legal Aid
Free legal aid services in Shreveport, Louisiana, can be extremely beneficial to those who qualify. Those intended benefits include: It should be noted that the availability of these benefits is subject to the specific case of the individual or family needing help. Free legal aid is not without limitations. First and foremost, anyone in need of help must qualify for these services. While this helps limit the scope of the individuals applying for free legal aid, it does not eliminate the waiting period parents must endure to receive help with a case. Some of the circumstances that often help individuals qualify are: All three of these circumstances help determine when someone can qualify for free legal aid. Additionally, qualified clients on waitlists may experience a scope of service limitation as free legal aid organizations do not provide all legal services. Finally, with the current state of the U.S. economic system, free legal aid organizations often have limited funding and staff.
Free Legal Aid Efforts in Shreveport
Anecdotal reports demonstrate the profound difference that free legal aid has made in Shreveport. In one example, a local grandmother named Rosie had cared for her ill sister before she passed away. Left with very little income and facing eviction, she turned to a Shreveport pro bono program that helped her secure government assistance for housing. In another case, a young mother, Angela, recently learned about free legal aid that helped her win child custody in court after a lengthy, expensive process. Many of her peers were unaware of the same resource.
These success stories are not isolated. Local pro bono volunteers have reported a surge of inquiries since the 2008 economic downturn. A Shreveport lawyer who attended a pro bono meeting in 2009 that was attended by 40 attorneys says the number has now more than doubled to nearly 100 attendees. Those statistics reflect a growing demand for free legal services in the city.
The rapid growth of programs offered by the pro bono communities of Shreveport and Bossier has transformed the prevailing attitude about seeking legal help. The change didn’t happen overnight. Advocates recognized the need for a safety net in the local industry and understood the feeling that they wanted to do more to help their community. Since these groups were founded, the story of legal representation in Shreveport has changed dramatically. Pro bono legal aid has become a pillar of the Shreveport community.
Where to Find and Contact Free Legal Aid
The free legal aid offices that provide legal assistance to low income people in Shreveport are Northwest Louisiana Legal Services, the Louisiana Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, and Shreveport pro bono projects from other groups.
Northwest Louisiana Legal Services
318-222-3993
800-256-4687 (in-state)
833-559-7586 (out-of-state)
Legal services provided to those at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines. Types of cases include divorce, child custody, child support, successions, repossession, public benefits, landlord-tenant, collection defense, wills.
Louisiana Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP)
Through the VLP, local lawyers may be available to provide limited legal representation to the needy on a pro bono basis. A telephone intake service is available to connect clients with volunteers.
Baton Rouge: (225) 344-7644
New Orleans: (504) 581-4043
North Louisiana (Shreveport): (318) 222-3993
Jackson, MS: (601) 960-9577
All other areas of Louisiana: (800)421-3897
Shreveport Pro Bono Project
The Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Jackson, and Shreveport pro bono projects administer the statewide Louisiana Bar Association VLP, but local pro bono projects operate independently and vary in their scope of services .
Shreveport Pro Bono Project
318-222-3993
8820 Goodwood Blvd Ste C
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
O: P.O. Box 1276
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
F: 225-346-2012
Exclusively provides representations in civil legal matters to Baton Rouge area low-income clients. Also provides free legal services through Family and Domestic Violence Law Clinics held monthly at the Baton Rouge Courthouse and monthly Probate Clinics at the East Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse.
North Louisiana Pro Bono Project
An affiliate of the Shreveport Bar Foundation, the North Louisiana Pro Bono Project is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation that provides referral services for pro bono legal services.
Bayouland Legal Services
It serves a 22-parish region, generally the six states at the Gulf Coast: southeastern Texas, southwestern Louisiana, south Mississippi, south Alabama, southwestern Florida, and north Florida. The goal of Bayouland’s 10-member Board of Directors is the assurance that low income persons in the region will have access to the judicial system.
North Louisiana Care Center
A facility that provides low income individuals and families with access to help with short-term emergencies, including legal assistance.