What is the History of Legal Aid?
Providing access to legal representation to those in need has been a tradition in this country. Earlier programs operated by volunteer lawyers from local bar associations were called legal aid societies.
Later, a federal effort to provide funds for legal counsel to the needy began in the mid-1960s. The federal government established, within the Office of Economic Opportunity, an Office of Legal Services to distribute federal money to local programs called Legal Services Organizations. These programs were transferred to the Legal Services Corp. (LSC), created by Congress in 1975.
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How is Legal Aid Financed?
Today in Florida, legal aid societies and legal services organizations in various counties are multi-sponsored and funded by federal, state and local governments, The Florida Bar Foundation, The Florida Bar, local bar associations and special grants. Florida is divided into seven regions, each having programs that receive LSC funding as well as programs that do not receive LSC funding but are funded by other sources, and thus able to accept a broader range of cases. Both programs work toward the common goal of equal justice and legal representation for all under the legal system.
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What Do Legal Services Lawyers Do?
Lawyers in a legal services office provide the same legal services as any other attorney. They can advise and represent you in most areas of civil law, although each program has priorities for the types of cases it will take.
Because the number of people demanding legal services exceeds the staff and money available to handle cases, legal services offices limit the types of cases taken.
They do not handle criminal cases, because the state provides public defenders to represent people accused of criminal actions who cannot afford private attorneys.
Also, the legal services offices generally do not deal with cases in which a person is seeking money as a settlement. In such cases, a private attorney usually will represent a client without any initial charge, collecting a fee only if the client wins the case. Then the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the client’s settlement. This is called a contingency fee.
Check with the office in your community if you have questions about the types of cases handled.
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What Cases Are Handled by Legal Services Offices?
The following are only a few examples of the types of cases usually handled:
- Civil Issues
- Consumer
- Divorce
- Domestic violence
- Education
- Family law
- Foreclosure defense
- Health welfare
- Immigration issues
- Landlord/tenant
- Public benefits
- Senior benefits
- Social Security
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What Will the Legal Services Cost?
Most legal services offices offer their assistance free of charge to people who qualify. Some areas have Low-Fee Panels for people with low fixed incomes.
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Who Can Apply for Legal Services?
Free legal services are meant for people of low income who cannot afford the services of an attorney. Many programs have different standards, and you will have to check with your community office to find out if you qualify. Some offices base their eligibility only on income, while others will consider ownership of property and size of family. It is important that you call your legal assistance provider to learn whether you qualify.
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Where are Legal Services Offices Located?
It is difficult to keep a list up to date, so if you have a problem in contacting an office, you can do an internet search for legal aid by county or contact a local bar association. Below is a list by county. FFLA (Funding Florida Legal Aid) publishes a searchable database of legal aid programs along with a description of services and the counties served.