Free Legal Aid in Edison

American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey

Areas of Law: Discrimination, Election and Voting, Freedom Speech, Freedom of Religion, Immigration Rights, LGBT Rights, Privacy, Police Practices, Jail and Prison Conditions, and other issues of fair treatment by government.

Good to Know: The ACLU does not usually assist in the following types of cases: criminal defense or post-conviction appeals, divorce or child custody disputes, property disputes, tax problems, workers compensation issues, consumer complaints, landlord-tenant disputes, building code issues and complaints about lawyers or judges. Requests for legal assistance must be submitted online.  

Central Jersey Legal Services

Areas of Law: Civil

Good to Know: This office assists low-income residents of Mercer, Middlesex and Union Counties. They do not handle any criminal matters. They also have offices in Trenton, Perth Amboy and Elizabeth.

Legal Services of New Jersey (Edison)

Areas of Law: Family, Housing, Health, Elderly, Children/Youth Issues, Public Benefits, Employment, Education, Individual Rights, Probate, Consumer

Good to Know: This office offers advice/legal counsel, brief services, self-help clinics, community legal education, and referrals, as well as full representation in administrative hearings and county, state, and federal courts. They do not assist with criminal cases. Applicants must qualify for services under financial guidelines. These guidelines are based on household size, income and assets. Most families who receive government benefits or who have minimum wage jobs are eligible for services.

Legal Services of New Jersey (Statewide Hotline)

P.O. Box 1357
Legal Aid Hotline:  (888) LSNJ-LAW

Areas of Law: Civil, Criminal Record Expungement, Consumer, Disability, Domestic Violence, Education, Family Law, Health Care Access, Housing, Immigration, Name Changes, Public Benefits, Senior Issues Small Claims, and more.

Good to Know: This is New Jersey’s statewide legal hotline that provides brief service, advice and referrals over the telephone to low-income residents of New Jersey with civil legal problems. Criminal cases are referred elsewhere. Individuals can speak with attorneys in English and Spanish. The service is free, but income limits apply.

Legal Services of Northwest Jersey (Somerville)

Areas of Law: Family, Housing, Health, Elderly, Children/Youth Issues, Public Benefits, Employment, Education, Individual Rights, Probate, Consumer

Good to Know: This office offers advice/legal counsel, brief services, self-help clinics, community legal education, and referrals, as well as full representation in administrative hearings and county, state, and federal courts. They do not assist with criminal cases. Applicants must qualify for services under financial guidelines. These guidelines are based on household size, income and assets. Most families who receive government benefits or who have minimum wage jobs are eligible for services.

Legal Services of Northwest Jersey (Hunterdon)

Areas of Law: Family, Housing, Health, Elderly, Children/Youth Issues, Public Benefits, Employment, Education, Individual Rights, Probate, Consumer

Good to Know: This office offers advice/legal counsel, brief services, self-help clinics, community legal education, and referrals, as well as full representation in administrative hearings and county, state, and federal courts. They do not assist with criminal cases. Applicants must qualify for services under financial guidelines. These guidelines are based on household size, income and assets. Most families who receive government benefits or who have minimum wage jobs are eligible for services.

Legal Services of Northwest Jersey (Warren)

Areas of Law: Family, Housing, Health, Elderly, Children/Youth Issues, Public Benefits, Employment, Education, Individual Rights, Probate, Consumer

Good to Know: This office offers advice/legal counsel, brief services, self-help clinics, community legal education, and referrals, as well as full representation in administrative hearings and county, state, and federal courts. They do not assist with criminal cases. Applicants must qualify for services under financial guidelines. These guidelines are based on household size, income and assets. Most families who receive government benefits or who have minimum wage jobs are eligible for services.

Reduced Fee Program

Areas of Law: Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 Only), Criminal Matters, Expungements, Family Matters, Foreclosures (Defense Only), Landlord / Tenant, Municipal Court Matters, Name Change, Small Claims Actions, Special Civil Part Actions, Tort Defense

Good to Know: This free legal aid service. It is a reduced-fee attorney referral service. Legal services are charged at a flat-fee rate.

Free Living Will

Area of Law: Probate

Good to Know: Periodically, the Hunterdon County Bar Associations offers county residents the opportunity to work with an attorney and obtain a Free Living Will. Call to learn more.

Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center

Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Restraining Orders, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking

Good to Know: Trained legal advocates are able to inform you of your rights, assist you in apply for a restraining order, and act as liaison with law enforcement.

Important: If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Catholic Diocese of New Jersey: Immigration Services

Areas of Law: Immigration, Asylum, Domestic Violence

Good to Know: Services are free or a sliding scale depending on your income level. They have three locations including Trinity Family Service Center in Perth Amboy, (732) 826-9160 and Unity Square at Sacred Heart Church in New Brunswick, (732) 545-0329.