Legal Assistance Network
Free Legal Help in NYC
Public defenders, nonprofit legal aid organizations, law school clinics, and court help centers — all free or low-cost. Filter by borough and case type to find the right help.
In a crisis or facing imminent court action?
Call Safe Horizon: 1-800-621-HOPE(DV) · Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300 · NYC Crime Victims: 1-866-689-HELP
32 organizations found
🚨 Emergency & 24/7 Services
Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Hotline
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin…
Eligibility: Any victim of domestic violence, regardless of income.
Hours: 24 hours / 7 days
NYC Crime Victims Assistance Hotline
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Any crime victim in New York City.
Hours: 24 hours / 7 days
The Legal Aid Society — Emergency Line
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Income-eligible NYC residents. Automatic assignment for criminal matters.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (main intake); Criminal court 24/7 coverage
The Anti-Violence Project
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish
Eligibility: LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected people who have experienced violence or hate crimes.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm | 24-hr crisis line
All Services
The Legal Aid Society
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin…
Eligibility: Income-eligible clients. Criminal defense automatically assigned by courts.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
The Bronx Defenders
Coverage: Bronx · Languages: English, Spanish
Eligibility: Bronx residents. Income-eligible for civil matters.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Brooklyn Defender Services
Coverage: Brooklyn · Languages: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole
Eligibility: Brooklyn residents facing criminal charges. Income-eligible for civil services.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Queens Defenders
Coverage: Queens · Languages: English, Spanish
Eligibility: Queens residents facing criminal charges.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Legal Services NYC
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin…
Eligibility: Income-eligible NYC residents (generally below 200% of federal poverty level).
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin…
Eligibility: Income-eligible. Various programs have different eligibility criteria.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
NYC Housing Court Help Centers
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Anyone with a Housing Court case in NYC.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (walk-in during court hours)
NYC Family Court Help Centers
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Anyone with a Family Court matter in NYC.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
Coverage: Manhattan · Languages: English, Spanish
Eligibility: Primarily serves upper Manhattan (Harlem and Washington Heights). Income-eligible.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Appellate Advocates
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Defendants with pending appeals in New York State courts. Income-eligible.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Center for Appellate Litigation
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Income-eligible defendants with criminal appeals. Focuses on post-conviction matters.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Urban Justice Center
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Varies by program. Focuses on marginalized New Yorkers.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Sanctuary for Families
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin…
Eligibility: Survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other gender-based violence.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Make the Road New York
Coverage: Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island · Languages: English, Spanish
Eligibility: Primarily serves immigrant communities and working-class New Yorkers.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP)
Coverage: All NYC · Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin…
Eligibility: Immigrants detained in New York facing deportation. Income-eligible.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Housing Conservation Coordinators (HCC)
Coverage: Manhattan
Eligibility: Low-income renters in Manhattan, primarily Hell's Kitchen and surrounding areas.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
CAMBA Legal Services
Coverage: Brooklyn · Languages: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole…
Eligibility: Low-income Brooklyn residents. Immigration services for all immigrants.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Community Service Society — Supervised Legal Practice
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Low-income NYC residents.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Immigration Equality
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: LGBTQ+ immigrants and those living with HIV.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
The Door — Legal Services
Coverage: Manhattan · Languages: English, Spanish
Eligibility: Young people ages 12–24 in NYC.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–8pm
CUNY School of Law — Clinics
Coverage: Queens
Eligibility: Income-eligible clients. Priority given to underserved communities.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (academic year)
NYU School of Law — Clinics
Coverage: Manhattan
Eligibility: Income-eligible. Each clinic has specific criteria.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (academic year)
Fordham Law School — Clinics
Coverage: Manhattan, Bronx
Eligibility: Income-eligible. Priority varies by clinic.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (academic year)
Cardozo School of Law — Clinics
Coverage: Manhattan
Eligibility: Varies by clinic.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (academic year)
Brooklyn Law School — Clinics
Coverage: Brooklyn
Eligibility: Income-eligible Brooklyn and NYC residents. Varies by clinic.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (academic year)
Columbia Law School — Clinics
Coverage: Manhattan
Eligibility: Income-eligible. Each clinic has specific focus area.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (academic year)
NYC Civil Court Self-Help Center
Coverage: Manhattan
Eligibility: Any litigant in New York County Civil Court.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–1pm, 2pm–5pm
NYC Supreme Court Self-Help Centers
Coverage: All NYC
Eligibility: Self-represented litigants in Supreme Court matters.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Need More Than Free Help?
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If your situation requires private legal representation — or if you don't qualify for free services — the B-Legal attorney network connects you with independent NYC attorneys by case type and availability.
Legal information only — not legal advice. This directory is provided for informational purposes. B-Legal does not guarantee the accuracy of contact information, hours, or eligibility requirements. Always call to confirm current services before visiting. Nothing on this platform creates an attorney-client relationship. Listings are updated periodically — services may change.