What is Legal Aid in Pasadena
Legal aid represents a very important assistance service to low-income individuals who are in need of legal advice and representation. In fact, those faced with some of the most pressing legal matters often have the least resources to acquire the counsel they need. It is for this reason that legal aid services have been established to help those who otherwise could not afford to pursue legal action. The legal aid movement began in 1868 in England with the establishment of the first pro bono legal clinic by a group of solicitors . This idea became formalized in the United States with the creation of the legal aid society of New York in 1876. Lee Slaughter of the American Bar Association would later go on to establish the Seattle Legal Aid Society in 1890. That year also saw the incorporation of the Boston Legal Aid Society by lawyer Robert Treat Paine. Today, legal aid services are managed by more than 860 independent nonprofit organizations around the country that exist for the sole purpose of providing free legal aid services for those who need it.
Eligibility Criteria for Legal Aid
Legal aid services in Pasadena have different eligibility requirements depending on where you go. Most of them are income-based, with the idea that people who are more well-off can probably afford a lawyer and do not need legal aid services. Because of this, you will need to provide some proof of income if you want free legal help. Generally, this proof will take the form of some sort of document that shows how much you make. Pay stubs are the best option, but if you have a tax return or bank statement that works too.
Some legal aid services also base their eligibility on your citizenship status. They want to know that you are legally able to stay in the United States, so in addition to your proof of income, you will need to show proof of citizenship. The exact rules vary by service, so be sure to check.
Not all legal aid services will help with all types of cases. Some are a bit more limited in what they offer. For example, the Domestic Violence Advocacy and Resource Center (DVARC) in Pasadena only helps with cases involving domestic violence. They do not help with other types of family law issues or any civil cases.
You also have to be careful about any pending legal issues that you currently have. If you have a legal problem on your own that is unrelated to the issue you want legal aid for, but the law firm you want to work with has problems with the State Bar, they may not be able to help you. This is another reason why it pays to check with the Pasadena legal aid services themselves.
Legal Aid for Different Types of Cases
Legal aid services in Pasadena typically cover a broad range of case types to meet the most pressing needs of low-income individuals and families. While the specific areas of law may vary by organization, most legal aid clinics and pro bono programs provide support for the following types of cases:
Family Law
Family law is one of the most commonly handled areas of law for legal aid services. Services may include assistance with divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence restraining orders, spousal support, adoption, guardian ad litem representation, and more.
Housing Disputes
Legal aid organizations often provide assistance with housing-related cases such as eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, public housing issues, discrimination, and housing authority appeals.
Employment Issues
Agencies such as the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation may offer help with unemployment compensation matters, workplace discrimination and harassment, wrongful termination suits, wage-and-hour claims, and more.
Immigration
Legal aid for immigration cases covers areas such as naturalization, U visas, refugee or asylum claims, adjustment of status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylum, immigrant visa petitions, temporary work visas, U-Visas for crime victims, VAWAs for victims of domestic violence, and others.
Other Areas
Legal aid may also be available for other areas of law, including tax law, consumer rights, small claims court representation, and landlord-tenant law.
Sources for Finding Legal Aid
There are a number of organizations and offices around Pasadena that offer legal aid services. It can be difficult to know where to turn when you’re in need of legal resources, so here’s an overview of some of the most prominent to help you with the process.
Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
This office is based out of the L.A. County Hall of Administration, and serves all communities in L.A. County, including Pasadena. Online resources are available, or you can call for more information about the services they provide.
700 West Main Street, #870
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 974-1452
Bet Tzedek
Bet Tzedek is a non-profit organization based in West Hollywood. They have been providing free legal services to low-income residents in the area since 1974. Bet Tzedek is able to offer free legal aid in over 17 different languages.
1453 South Robertson Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90035
(323) 939-0506
Harbor UCLA Medical Center
The Center for Health Care Law and Consumer Protection operates out of Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, CA and is a part of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). It protects and promotes patient rights by helping health care consumers in finding answers to their questions regarding patients’ rights and health care law. Legal advice and representation is provided through the center to help with filing claims for public benefits.
1000 West Carson Street
Torrance, CA 90509
(310) 222-3427
Los Angeles Elder Abuse Prevention Network (LEAP)
This group improves investigations into elder abuse by providing training and resources for law enforcement and health care professionals, as well as connecting the elderly with free legal services in order to protect their civil rights.
1100 South Flower Street, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 387-7088 x 309
California Attorney General’s Office
This office offers various consumer resources to help individuals throughout California to understand their rights and to get assistance when needed. From workers’ rights to environmental law complaints, the AG’s office has a wealth of information available.
1300 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(800) 952-5210
Public Law Center
This non-profit organization based out of Orange County, CA has been providing legal resources and pro bono representation to people in financial need for the last 30 years. Areas of practice include family law, housing law, bankruptcy and tax law, among a number of others.
601 West 1st Street, Suite 150
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 541-1010
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
Offering services through five offices, this legal aid nonprofit helps people in L.A. County in a variety of areas of the law. Their mission is to "provide access to justice that dismantles systems of poverty and racial and ethnic inequities."
1300 W. 7th Street, 3rd Floor, Suite A
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(800) 433-6251
How to Prepare for a Legal Aid Consultation
If you suspect that you might be eligible for free legal services, the next step is to reach out and schedule a consultation with a legal aid organization. While many legal aid clinics in Pasadena operate on a walk-in basis, some require an appointment. Either way, it’s a good idea to prepare for what to expect, both from the staff who will evaluate your case for qualification and for the attorney you will ultimately be assigned.
Most importantly, you need to understand how much time to plan for your intake interview. You should allow at least an hour and a half to two hours if you plan to meet with a lawyer that day, and at least 30 minutes for intake alone if you intend to get a referral to an attorney to meet with later .
Before you leave home, gather any important documents related to your case or situation and make photocopies to bring along. For example, if you have been evicted or fear you will be evicted, bring proof, such as a court notice, your rental agreement and rent receipts. Bring copies of your bank statements and other financial records, your identification, any relevant photographs or videos, and any medical records or bills.
Think carefully about what questions you have for the legal aid attorney, particularly if you will see him or her the same day you arrive for your meeting. Make a list so you can concentrate on gathering information rather than figuring out how to ask your questions under the pressure of knowing you are taking a spot from someone else who needs help.
Pros and Cons of Using Legal Aid
Although legal aid services are a great way to obtain the services of a competent lawyer at little or no cost, there are some disadvantages. Usually, legal services will only be able to represent you in some matters, for example, issues concerning child support or juvenile matters, but not divorce. If you need assistance in legal areas where legal aid services do not provide assistance, you must first have the appropriate case accepted by them, and then hire a private attorney. For example, if you had minor children and you filed for divorce, your case would go to juvenile court for a temporary hearing on custody and parenting time while waiting for your divorce to come up to the family part. Legal aid could represent you at the juvenile court hearing, in order to protect your rights to those children, but would not be able to represent you in your divorce actions after the hearing is complete and the case has been assigned to the family part. Legal aid also has its limitations based upon the shortage of attorneys and support staff. Even though a particular matter may fall under their scope of services, they may not have sufficient resources to assist an indigent. Because of the staff shortage, legal aid will not take on a matter unless the need for assistance is immediate. The person requesting legal aid must appear at one of their centers when they open to obtain assistance. If the matter is not urgent, you have to call first to determine when a legal aid worker will be available and when you can come in. Even emergencies have been cut back in the past with legal aid. People who simply show up unexpectedly at legal aid without an appointment are turned away.
Other Options for Legal Assistance
Alternative Legal Assistance Options in Pasadena
Beyond formal legal aid programs, there are a number of other resources available to residents of Pasadena looking for low-cost or pro bono legal aid.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Many of the region’s nonprofits and legal aid agencies maintain rich networks of volunteers in the legal field, and opportunities for free legal assistance are, accordingly, abundant. Pro Bono Counseling Center is a joint effort of attorneys and the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Benefits program, offering case management support and legal counseling for families struggling with issues such as debt, child custody, and access to public benefits. Los Angeles Elder Abuse Prevention Program (EAEPP) assists older adults experiencing poverty and domestic violence by providing legal services and referrals, including health insurance and public benefit appeals, housing and landlord-tenant disputes, family law and domestic violence issues, personal rights enforcement, and advance healthcare directives.
Online Access to Legal Services
For those unable to visit in person, whether due to mobility concerns, lack of transportation, or demanding work schedules , online assistance may be a better fit. The Los Angeles County Law Library (LACLL) provides online access to library cards for entities in Los Angeles County, including those eligible for a eCard for out-of-county residents, but with some restrictions. If you already have a LACLL Card, this step is not necessary. U.S. residents can use their existing member credentials or create new ones to access over 800 databases, including SuperLawyer, Westlaw, and Nolo Press. The Cyber Search Room is open Monday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) for any residents of Los Angeles County to read and download research materials. Prominent elections information invites users to explore topics ranging from voter registration to county, state, and federal office responsibilities, political party affiliations, and ballot propositions.
Legal Workshops
Pasadena residents seeking a more traditional method of addressing legal issues might consider attending one of the many community legal workshops held across the community. Hosted by community organizations, these workshops often include multiple subjects, such as handling foreclosure, divorce, or domestic violence issues.
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