What are Legal Aid Services?
Legal aid services offer critical assistance to qualifying individuals in need of legal representation or advice but who cannot afford to pay a private attorney. Legal aid programs receive funding from both public sources such as state and local governments and private sources such as local bar associations, charitable foundations and the United Way. Most legal aid provides free advice for civil (rather than criminal) legal matters to low-income residents, often those at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The specific threshold for eligibility in each state or program may vary depending on specific circumstances, and each program may apply additional eligibility factors for certain types of cases . Lawyers offering legal advice through legal aid programs may work full time for a specific program or collaborate with other lawyers, both private and in-house, to handle individual cases or work pro bono. Legal aid programs and attorneys most often assist with issues such as: When are legal aid services appropriate? Individuals in need of a lawyer for matters related to the above types of cases should consider the proximate availability of legal aid services as one of their options. If you meet income eligibility requirements but require a specific area of legal assistance not available through a local legal aid program, you should contact other private attorneys about options for representation.
Who is Eligible for Legal Aid in Redding, CA?
Eligibility requirements for legal aid in Redding, CA are generally the same as the federal income poverty guidelines. These vary by the number of individuals in a household. Single individuals, or households of one, must have an income of no more than $12,490 to be eligible for civil legal assistance. For families of two, the income limit is $16,910; for three, the limit is $21,330; and for four, the limit is $25,740.
Once again, the minimums increase by about $4,300 for each additional family member, so that a family of five requires an income of no more than $30,150 to be eligible for legal aid, while a family of six requires $34,560 in income.
These thresholds are subject to change, so it is important to check them frequently online or by contacting the local legal aid organization. It is also vital to note that these incomes are not adjusted based on the cost of living in individual states. Californians may make up to 25 percent more than the federal poverty guidelines without losing their legal aid eligibility, but this does not mean that they have enough money left over to find paying work.
This income threshold applies to both the United States and its territories, so it can be beneficial for those living in Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands to take advantage of legal aid organizations just as much as those in the contiguous 48.
Top Redding, CA Legal Aid Services
For residents of Redding, CA, there are several reputable legal aid providers that can assist you in different areas of the law.
Legal Services of Northern California
The mission of Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC) is to pursue justice for low-income people seeking solutions to their legal problems by providing high quality legal services in housing, public benefits, legal protections from violence, and family law matters which are necessary for economic security. Legal Services of Northern California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Contact Areas of Specialization
(530) 242-1525 Family Law / Wills & Estates / Child Custody / Personal injury / Employment
9000 Airport Rd Building J, Suite 105
Redding, CA 96002
North Coast Opportunities
North Coast Opportunities offer legal advocate assistance, mediation, individual and small group counseling, community awareness, and domestic violence education. North Coast Opportunities was founded in 1966 as a part of President Johnson’s War on Poverty. Through a series of programs, communities were assigned resources to help address and eliminate the causes of poverty. Today, NCO serves millions of dollars in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help improve and revitalize communities in the areas of economic development, housing, homelessness, infrastructure, land use, health services, mental health services, youth services, substance abuse treatment, and domestic violence assistance.
Contact Areas of Specialization
(530) 926-8686 Family Law / Civil Rights / Public Benefits / Consumer Fraud / Person injury
433 Park Ave
Bldg. B, Suite 202
Nevada Legal Services
Nevada Legal Services (NLS) is a non-profit law firm created to help low-income people solve their legal problems. NLS believes everyone deserves access to trustworthy legal information and advice. Though NLS cannot represent every person or family who reaches out for help, it is nevertheless dedicated to ensuring low-income people have access to the rights and resources they are entitled to through the U.S. justice system. While NLS does all it can to assist its clients, NLS cannot take every case that comes their way. NLS works within their budgetary and programmatic limitations to help as many low-income Nevadans as possible, and they will direct you to the best resources available to help you with your issue.
Contact Areas of Specialization
(775)784-6200 Family Law / Employment / Public Benefits / Education / Divorce
1 East Liberty, Ste. 600
Reno, NV 89501
Hope Village
The Center for Families and Children – Hope Village is a short-term residential center that provides emergency and transitional shelter and services to homeless families. The services at Hope Village help families heal from the trauma of homelessness. Services include temporary, emergency shelter, case management, food bags, school supplies and connection to employment training, affordable housing, and counseling sources. The Hope Village also contains 16 transitional housing apartments for after families leave the emergency shelter and are ready to transition back to the community. Hope Village is a specialized shelter that provides shelter only to homeless families. All families must attend Life Skills classes and ongoing case management with their case manager.
Contact Areas of Specialization
(530) 221-1925 Family Law / Child Support / Domestic Violence /
P.O. Box 491757
Redding, CA 96049
YWCA Shasta Cascade
YWCA Shasta Cascade is a not-for-profit organization that has been advocating for housing, employment, and fairness in the legal system. The YWCA is a group of people working to empower women and eliminate racism. From legal assistance to job training, the YWCA invites you to take advantage of the various service offerings available to you.
Contact Areas of Specialization
(530) 241-7008 Family Law / Child Support / Domestic Violence /
1800 Market St., Suite #120
Redding, CA 96001
Legal Services of Northern California and the Hope Village are the two most reputable legal aid providers in Redding, CA. They both specialize in family law matters and provide monthly workshops.
Applying for Legal Aid
The process for applying for legal aid in Redding, CA may vary from one specific mission to another, but there are some general processes they all use. Depending on your exact situation, some missions may have different requirements. For instance, if you apply to your local bar association and are denied access to legal aid, you can usually count on the California state bar to step in and provide direction.
If you successfully apply to a legal aid organization , you should be aware of the typical process that follows in many cases: Legal aid organizations can sometimes be overwhelmed. Budget cutbacks and court closures have led to increasingly large case loads for volunteers.
While you always have the option of applying for legal aid, it’s critical to remember that not everyone will be eligible. A typical legal aid organization in Redding, CA might handle the following types of cases:
Legal Aid Alternatives
For those individuals who find themselves ineligible for legal aid services, there are alternative programs and resources that can provide critical legal help.
Pro Bono Attorneys
Many legal services organizations maintain a list of private attorneys who offer free services to individuals in specific circumstances. The Shasta County Superior Court offers a "Find a Lawyer" service to help connect those in need with pro bono attorneys in the area. Community organizations, local bar associations, and other legal organizations may also be able to provide you with a list of referral services for pro bono legal assistance.
Just as there is a shortage of legal aid lawyers, there is also a shortage of pro bono lawyers in Redding. For those legal needs that absolutely require a lawyer’s assistance, however, using a legal aid organization or pro bono lawyer may be necessary.
Volunteer Programs
If you are not eligible for any legal aid services, volunteering for a local legal assistance organization is a potential way for you to receive low-cost legal advice while also gaining valuable experience. Local law schools, legal services organizations, or even personal relationships with attorneys are alternative ways to find a pro bono or low-cost legal service.
La Clinica de La Raza Family Support & Legal Services Project
Located in Redding, La Clinica de La Raza offers free legal services for residents in Shasta County to help families and individuals resolve immigration issues and gain access to legal protections. Services offered include access to a legal coordinator who refers individuals to appropriate agencies, legal services in English and Spanish, and referrals to other legal resources in the area. La Clinica also provides a variety of medical and mental health services to those in need.
Other Legal Resources
For individuals who also do not qualify for legal aid services or pro bono attorneys, there are several resources available, both in Redding and online. The Shasta County Superior Court Self-Help Center has resources available to those seeking legal advice in specific circumstances, such as family law needs, appeal processes, small claims advice, guardianships, and landlord/tenant issues. Shasta-Trinity Lawyers Aid is another service that offers limited legal advice to those who qualify.
Online resources are also widely available as critical sources of advice and information. LawHelpCalifornia is a resource that can connect individuals to legal information in their local area and Marriam-Webster’s Legal Dictionary provides a variety of legal definitions. There are also several online sources for finding a lawyer, including the American Bar Association’s Find Legal Help Tool and Martindale-Hubbell’s Lawyer Directory.
FAQs About Legal Aid
Here are answers to some common questions people have about legal aid services in Redding, CA.
Do legal aid services come with any fees?
Legal aid services typically do not charge fees, but the legal aid organizations are all separate entities. For accurate information about fees and services, it’s best to contact your chosen organization directly.
Can I obtain free legal aid assistance if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
While many legal aid organizations do not require proof of citizenship, some may. Consult with each organization to find out if they’ll provide you with their services without proof of citizenship.
How long do I have to wait for assistance from legal aid?
Most local legal aid organizations will get back to you the same day rather quickly . However, there can be variations depending on the organization, so be sure to consider that when contacting legal aid agencies in your community in order to find out which one works best for you.
How will I know I have a case worth taking to court, and does it really need to go to court?
Legal aid organizations can help you determine whether your case is worth taking to court. Many legal aid groups even offer their own attorneys or other employees who can represent you in court. That said, not all cases should go to court, and the legal aid professional helping you with your case can generally advise you whether or not court is the best venue for resolving the dispute.