We can't give advice about your case. Court Yourself is an information site, not a law firm. The people and programs below can help you directly.
Free federal pro se clinics we've confirmed
These clinics are run with or through the federal court in that district. What they do varies: some give brief advice, others only answer procedural questions. There's no national list, so we're adding courts as we confirm them.
Central District of California
Federal Pro Se Clinics (Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Ana)
See the court's clinic page
District of Arizona
Federal Court Advice-Only Clinic (Phoenix by phone; Tucson via Step Up to Justice)
Book through the court's clinic page
District of Colorado
Federal Pro Se Clinic (Colorado Bar Association & Federal Bar Association), Denver
(303) 824-5395
Eastern District of Michigan
Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic (University of Detroit Mercy Law), Detroit courthouse
(313) 234-2690 · proseclinic@udmercy.edu
Eastern District of New York
City Bar Justice Center (Brooklyn) and Hofstra Law Pro Se Legal Assistance Program (Central Islip)
Brooklyn (212) 382-4729 · Central Islip (631) 297-2575
Middle District of Florida
Legal Information Program (Federal Bar Association): procedural questions only
Tuesdays · Jacksonville (904) 549-1900 · Tampa (813) 301-5400 · Orlando: book online
Northern District of California
JDC Legal Help Center (San Francisco & Oakland courthouses)
fedpro@sfbar.org
Southern District of New York
Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project (City Bar Justice Center)
(212) 659-6190
Western District of Washington
Federal Civil Rights Legal Clinic (FBA-WDWA)
Seattle (206) 267-7070 · Tacoma (253) 368-6690
Use the court finder to see whether your court has a clinic or a pro se help line.
Legal aid, referrals and directories
- Legal aid near you (LSC)
Enter your address to find the legal aid office funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Free for people who qualify. These offices generally can't take cases for people in prison. - LawHelp.org
State-by-state directories of free legal aid programs and self-help information. - Lawyer referral services (ABA directory)
State and local bar referral services can connect you with a lawyer, often with a low-cost first consultation. - National Police Accountability Project directory
Lawyers who handle police misconduct cases. Listings are paid and not vetted by NPAP. - National Lawyers Guild referral directory
Lawyers and legal workers by area and practice. Listings are not vetted, and some charge fees. - Jailhouse Lawyer's Handbook
Free handbook on civil rights lawsuits for people in prison, from the Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild.
Why some lawyers take civil rights cases for free up front
If a civil rights plaintiff wins, the court can order the defendants to pay the plaintiff's attorney's fees (42 U.S.C. § 1988). That lets some lawyers take strong cases without charging you first. Ask about it when you call.
What to bring to a clinic or first call
- A one-page timeline: dates, places, names
- Anything with a deadline on it: letters, notices, orders
- Your drafts and any court papers
- Photos, medical records, witness names