Free Legal Aid in Newark
Last updated: September 26, 2013
Do you have a legal issue, but cannot afford to hire an attorney? There are many options for free or low-cost legal services for residents of Essex County. The main ways are through non-profit legal assistance programs such as Legal Services of New Jersey, a statewide legal hotline with a regional branch in Newark, or other pro bono groups including the ACLU and law school clinics. There may be income limits that apply for individuals to qualify for free help. Contact the specific agency to learn more. Below is a list of several organizations available to help you.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid in Newark
-
Legal Services of New Jersey
P.O. Box 1357
Edison, NJ 08818
Tel: Legal Aid Hotline: (888) 576-5529/(888) LSNJ-LAWArea 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.
-
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
P.O. Box 32159
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: (973) 642-2084Areas of Law: Criminal Justice, Cyber Liberties, Discrimination, Election and Voting, Free Speech, LGBT Rights, Immigrant Rights, National Security, Police Practices, Poverty Rights, Prisons, Privacy, Reproductive Freedom and Youth Rights.
Good to Know: The ACLU does not generally assist in the following types of cases: Criminal defense or post-conviction appeals, Divorce or child custody disputes, Property disputes, Tax problems, Consumer complaints, Landlord-tenant disputes, Building code issues and Complaints about lawyers or judges.
-
American Friends Service Committee
89 Market Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: (973) 643-1924Areas of Law: Immigration
Good to Know: The Newark office is home to the Immigrant Rights program, helping individuals facing deportation, for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes, for unaccompanied minors and to assist in family reunification through naturalization and other immigration applications. They may charge a small fee. Call to learn more.
-
Community Health Law Project
650 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 210
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Tel: (973) 680-5599Areas of Law: Civil Rights, Child Support, Consumer Debt Collection, Healthcare Law, Fair Housing, and Landlord-Tenant.
Good to Know: This office provides legal services to New Jersey residents with disabilities such as mental health-related, people with physical disabilities, HIV/AIDS, developmental disabilities, and visual impairments. Although they do not have an office in Newark, they serve all New Jersey residents.
-
Essex County Legal Aid Association
465 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Hall of Records , Room 118
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: (973) 622-0063Areas of Law: Civil law including Consumer, Family, Housing, Employment and Probate.
Good to Know: Clients receives immediate emergency legal advice, legal paper work preparation, and counseling from attorneys. These free legal services are available to qualified people based on income. They do no provide full legal representation such as court appearances or arbitration, but can provide referrals to other full-service organizations.
-
Essex-Newark Legal Services
5 Commerce Street, 2nd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: (973) 624-4500Area 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 office provides direct civil legal services to income-eligible clients. Walk-ins only. First come, first served.
-
Legal Services of New Jersey Kiosks
465 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, Room 201
Newark, NJ 07102
Areas of Law: Housing, Employment, landlord-tenant, immigration and family law.
Good to Know: This location provides access to information, publications, benefits calculators and court forms only.
-
Partners for Women and Justice
60 South Fullerton Ave. #106
Montclair, NJ 07042
Tel: (973) 233-0111Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Family Law including restraining orders, child and spousal support, visitation and custody and divorce.
Good to Know: This office provides free legal assistance to income-eligible victims of domestic violence and those needing assistance with family law-related matters. If you need immediate assistance, please call your local police department or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Law School Clinics
-
Seton Hall University School of Law Center for Social Justice
833 McCarter Highway
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: (973) 642-8700Areas of Law: Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law, Family Law, Equal Justice, Immigration and Immigrant Workers’ Rights, Impact Litigation, Juvenile Justice.
Good to Know: This office does not take walk-ins. Call for an appointment.
-
Rutgers University School of Law –Newark
123 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: (973) 353-5576Areas of Law: Child Advocacy, Community Law, Constitutional Law, Federal Tax Law, Special Education Law, Urban Legal Clinic.
Good to Know: This office does not take walk-ins. Call for an appointment.