Getting help in the courtroom
If you qualify, and need legal help on your day of court, you can talk to our lawyers at the courthouse (they are called duty counsel).
Duty counsel can:
- give you legal advice
- explain your rights and how the court process works
- help you negotiate a resolution
- help prepare or review your legal documents (in some cases)
- represent you in court (in some cases)
To find the location of the duty counsel office that is either in or nearest to the courthouse where your matter is being heard, please use our Find A Duty Counsel Office tool.
Check the table below to see if you qualify for duty counsel services.
| Family size | Family income must be lower than | Assets must be lower than |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | $45,440 | $15,000 |
| 5+ | $50,803 |
If you do not qualify for duty counsel services, you can still get legal information and referrals to other services from duty counsel and legal aid workers. Legal aid workers are legal aid employees who work closely with duty counsel to provide services at courthouses. They can help with administrative court appearances (adjournments) and can give you information about the court process, forms, and other resources that may help.
