{"id":375192,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-york-law\/free-legal-aid-in-long-island.html"},"modified":"2024-12-31T17:45:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T22:45:05","slug":"free-legal-aid-in-long-island","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-york-law\/free-legal-aid-in-long-island.html","title":{"rendered":"Free Legal Aid in Long Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Free Legal Aid in Long Island <\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Long Island is about more than just iced tea, parkways, and the characters we inspire on television. It’s not the reluctant home of the "bridge and tunnel" crowd: it’s a community<\/i>, and a thriving one at that. As such, Long Island has many organizations and attorneys whose mission is to help our fellow citizens by providing free or low cost legal services. Whether in Nassau or Suffolk county, there are plenty of resources to help you with your legal fight. Here is a guide on how to get started and how to find the various forms of aid available to you.<\/p>\r\n

Starting Out<\/u><\/h2>\r\n

When you’re just starting out looking for assistance with your legal issues, there are several places you can begin. For the best use of your time, it might be helpful to begin your quest with either the courts or the Nassau-Suffolk Law Services Committee.<\/p>\r\n

The courts on Long Island have many resources in place to help pro se litigants–people representing themselves. Information for all New York sate courts is available online at www.nycourts.gov\/courthelp\/<\/a>. You’ll find do-it-yourself forms, answers to law questions, and more. Visit FindLaw for a description of Nassau County courthouses and Suffolk County courthouses.<\/p>\r\n

Nassau-Suffolk Law Services Committee is another great resource for starting out because its a large organization. This group features a wide range of legal services including direct representation (where a lawyer is assigned to your case), counseling and information, self-help materials, and referrals to other support agencies. NSLS covers many areas of the law including landlord-tenant, domestic violence, disability rights, foreclosures, and more. Visit the NSLS website<\/a> for more information<\/p>\r\n

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Get Someone to Represent You <\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Legal Aid Society of Nassau County \n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    One Helen Keller Way<\/p>\n \n

    \n Hempstead,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11550<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (516) 560-6400\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Legal Aid Society ("LAS") provides free representation to individuals who are charged with crimes in Nassau County Court and Nassau County District Court. Services are for people cannot afford an attorney. LAS also represents clients with family court matters having to do with child support and custody. You cannot choose LAS: a judge has to appoint the organization. Visit the site for answers to common questions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    400 Carleton Avenue, 4th Avenue, 4th Floor<\/p>\n \n

    \n Central Islip,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11772<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (631) 853-5212\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Nassau-Suffolk Law Services, Volunteer Lawyers Project\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    One Helen Keller Way, 5th Floor<\/p>\n \n

    \n Hempstead,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11550<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (516) 292-8299\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    The Volunteer Lawyers Project ("VLP") provides direct representation to clients who are of "modest means." Typically clients come in with divorce, bankruptcy, and landlord-tenant issues, but the program is flexible. The organization takes clients by appointment only.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Long Island Housing Services, Inc. \n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    640 Johnson Avenue, Suite 8<\/p>\n \n

    \n Bohemia,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11716<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: Suffolk: (631) 567-5111 x. 318 Nassau: (516) 292-0400 x. 318\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    This organization provides individual counseling and advocacy services relating to landlord-tenant, foreclosure, discrimination, and other issues relating to housing. The office is near the MacArthur Airport where the Veterans Memorial Highway meets Johnson Avenue. See the website for directions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Catholic Charities Immigrant Services\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    143 Schleigel Blvd.<\/p>\n \n

    \n Amityville,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11701<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (631) 789-5210\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    This organization provides direct, in-court representation on immigration matters. They provide service in multiple languages. Services are open to all immigrants. Fees are based on your ability to pay.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Get a Referral to a Paid Attorney <\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Nassau County Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Information Service\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    15th & West Streets<\/p>\n \n

    \n Mineola,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11501<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (516) 747-4832\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    lawyerreferral@nassaubar.org<\/a><\/p>\n

    You can call the lawyer referral service’s phone number. The service will provide you with an attorney’s name and contact information for a $50 initial half hour consultation. After that, fees will be worked out between you and the attorney.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Suffolk County Bar Association – Lawyer Referral and Information Service\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    560 Wheeler Rd.<\/p>\n \n

    \n Hauppauge,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 11788<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (631) 234-5577\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    lris@scba.org<\/a><\/p>\n

    Call or email the LRIS for a referral. Visit the website for a list of legal areas in which LRIS attorneys specialize.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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