Free Legal Aid in Poughkeepsie

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016

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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’s 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.

General Civil Matters

  • Legal Services of Hudson Valley

    147 Union Street
    Suite 101
    Poughkeepsie,     NY 12601
    Tel: (845) 471-0058

    Good to know: Legal Service of Hudson Valley offers free legal representation to low-income residents and vulnerable individuals. They have eight branches in the lower Hudson Valley, including one in Poughkeepsie. They provide representation in wide variety of civil matters, including children’s 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.

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  • The Legal Aid Society of New York

    199 Water Street
    New York,     NY 10038
    Tel: (212) 577-3300

    Good to know: 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, criminal and juvenile 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’s rights and elder law. The major downside is that all of the Legal Aid Society’s branches are located in New York City.

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  • New York Legal Assistance Group

    7 Hanover Square
    18th Floor
    New York,     NY 10004
    Tel: (212) 613-5000

    Good to know: The New York Legal Assistance Group provides legal representation to low-income or otherwise vulnerable individuals for all sorts of civil matters, 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’s office are located in New York City.

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Criminal Defense

  • Duchess County Public Defender’s Office

    22 Market Street
    Poughkeepsie,     NY 12601
    Tel: (845) 486-2280

    Good to know: 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’t practice criminal defense because of the availability of the Public Defender’s Office, so if you’ve been charged with a crime this is your best option.

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Immigration Matters

  • Catholic Charities Community Services

    218 Church Street
    Poughkeepsie,     NY 12601
    Tel: (845) 452-1400

    Good to know: 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.

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Domestic Violence Shelters

  • Grace Smith House

    1 Brookside Avenue
    Poughkeepsie,     NY 12601
    Tel: (845) 452-7155

    Good to know: 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.

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  • House of Hope

    PO Box 1326
    Wappingers Falls,     NY 12590
    Tel: (845) 765-0294

    Good to know: 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.

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Helpful Websites

  • New York Courts Self-Help Website




    Good to know: 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.

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