{"id":375195,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:08","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-york-law\/free-legal-aid-in-poughkeepsie.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:48:33","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:48:33","slug":"free-legal-aid-in-poughkeepsie","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-york-law\/free-legal-aid-in-poughkeepsie.html","title":{"rendered":"Free Legal Aid in Poughkeepsie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Free Legal Aid in Poughkeepsie<\/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

Representing yourself against an experienced lawyer is a losing proposition. But hiring a lawyer of your own is not always possible. For individuals in vulnerable position or earning an income less than 125% of the federal poverty threshold, free representation from one of Poughkeepsie\u2019s Legal Aid groups is an excellent way to even the odds. Look for a lawyer who specializes in your particular legal issue and you speak comfortable speaking with. To make your search easier, FindLaw has compiled this list of reputable Legal Aid groups in Poughkeepsie.<\/p>\n

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General Civil Matters<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Legal Services of Hudson Valley\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    147 Union Street<\/p>\n \n

    Suite 101<\/p>\n

    \n Poughkeepsie,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 12601<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (845) 471-0058\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: Legal Service of Hudson Valley offers free legal representation to low-income residents and vulnerable individuals. They have eight branches<\/a> in the lower Hudson Valley, including one in Poughkeepsie. They provide representation in wide variety of civil matters<\/a>, including children\u2019s advocacy, disability advocacy, elder law, domestic violence protection, public benefits law, social security or disability claims, landlord-tenant issues and representation for veterans and their families.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n The Legal Aid Society of New York\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    199 Water Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n New York,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 10038<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (212) 577-3300\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: The Legal Aid Society is literally the largest legal aid group in the nation. They are fairly unique among legal aid groups because they practice civil<\/a>, criminal<\/a> and juvenile<\/a> law. On the civil side, they can help you with housing, benefits, disability, domestic violence, family law, heath law, employment issues, immigration, HIV\/AIDS, prisoner\u2019s rights and elder law. The major downside is that all of the Legal Aid Society\u2019s branches are located in New York City.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n New York Legal Assistance Group\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    7 Hanover Square<\/p>\n \n

    18th Floor<\/p>\n

    \n New York,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 10004<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (212) 613-5000\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: The New York Legal Assistance Group provides legal representation to low-income or otherwise vulnerable individuals for all sorts of civil matters<\/a>, such as anti-discrimination, consumer protection, elder law, employment law, public benefits, foreclosure, landlord-tenant issues, immigration, family law and social security disability. Their hotline shuts down at 3 p.m. so be sure to call them early. Like the Legal Aid Society, all the Assistance Group\u2019s office are located in New York City.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Criminal Defense<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Duchess County Public Defender\u2019s Office\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    22 Market Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Poughkeepsie,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 12601<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (845) 486-2280\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: The Public Defender provides legal representation individuals who have been charged with a crime and who have been determined to be indigent. To qualify for their services you need an ID, proof of income and your court documents. Most legal aid groups don\u2019t practice criminal defense because of the availability of the Public Defender\u2019s Office, so if you\u2019ve been charged with a crime this is your best option.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Immigration Matters<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Catholic Charities Community Services\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    218 Church Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Poughkeepsie,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 12601<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (845) 452-1400\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: Despite their affiliation with the Catholic Church, Catholic Charities Community Services provide legal representation to individuals of all religious creeds on immigration matters. Call their hotline 1-800-566-7336 for immediate assistance. Catholic Charities is also a shelter and kitchen for homeless individuals and recent immigrants.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Domestic Violence Shelters<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Grace Smith House\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1 Brookside Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    \n Poughkeepsie,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 12601<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (845) 452-7155\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: The Grace Smith House specializes in providing safe housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. They also provide advocacy to guide you to through the police and court system, and will search for employment and housing to help you become self-sufficient. Moreover, they provide free legal representation in Family Court for divorce or child custody matters. If you are the victim of domestic violence, call their 24-hour hotline 1-845-471-3033 right away to escape your abuser.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n House of Hope\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    PO Box 1326<\/p>\n \n

    \n Wappingers Falls,<\/span>\n NY<\/span>\n 12590<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (845) 765-0294\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Good to know<\/b>: House of Hope operates a domestic violence shelter and the domestic violence hotline listed above. They can also provide job skills training and legal support in civil issues including temporary custody orders, divorce and child\/spousal support, custody and visitation and protective orders.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Helpful Websites<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n New York Courts Self-Help Website\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n

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    Good to know<\/b>: The New York Judiciary provides a useful self-help website to help you access information about court procedure and specific fields of law. They also include a thorough list of legal forms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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