Get the Scoop on Free Legal Advice Hotlines
So what is a free legal advice hotline? Such a professional resource typically involves a toll-free number, that if you call, a lawyer answers the phone and provides advice. The advice can be really beneficial, and can also help you determine whether you need to ultimately meet with that lawyer in person, or not.
This is especially the case in New Jersey where we have a number of pro bono legal assistance hotlines. These are run through different legal aid organizations or bar associations, and the lawyers who participate in them volunteer their time, and more importantly their legal expertise.
On a regular basis, I will get calls from potential clients asking me really basic questions, like "what is a trust?" or "what is the difference between a diagnostic center and a hospital?" I answer these questions for free, and really enjoy this way of helping people. The benefit is that the person on the other line generally determines that they do not need to meet with me in person, and therefore no money changes hands. On occasion though, someone calls me and has a much more complex issue or concern, and usually what starts as a free advice call leads to a retainer agreement being entered into .
Because of the technology involved, usually free legal advice hotlines have a protocol where they will take your personal information, then email you with a time when you can call back, or set up a remote consultation. The time slot is configured by the volunteers on that side, and it means that your call will be returned out of order based on that organization’s schedule.
For example, the New Jersey State Bar Association has a program in place called a Legal Access telephone service. Lawyers volunteer to staff a toll-free telephone number, which in turn provides legal advice to residents in New Jersey who have financial need and do not have a private attorney. This could be housing issues, consumer fraud or DWI/DUI concerns. It is most common that tax law issues come up, as do will issues and divorce. The range of calls I’ve received on my end as part of the New Jersey State Bar Association program has been pretty broad.
Like I said, this is a program that is regularly utilized, and with the barriers to entry to participating being low (a bar card in good standing), the quality of the experience really is top notch. It is definitely worth your while to go online or call in and see if there is an open time slot available. It could provide the right venue to discover if you need an attorney, or whether you are simply being paranoid about something.
Why You Should Call a NJ Legal Advice Hotline
Most people are under the impression that the telephone consultations provided by legal advice hotlines are designed for those of low income. Others simply assume that an attorney will not take the time to address their questions over the phone, especially without charging them. The reality is that speaking with an attorney over the phone is the most cost-effective manner in which to obtain legal information.
Nevertheless, when it comes to NJ legal advice hotlines, everybody is eligible. A person does not have to worry about asking "how much is this going to cost me" during the course of the conversation. There are no hidden surprises at the end of the call.
Another thing to keep in mind is that clients are not forced to meet in person with their hook-ups this way. They are able to work around their busy schedules and utilize the confinement of a telephone appointment. It is relaxing, convenient and you will walk away with the same quality guides as if you sat down with the professional.
How to Get Free Legal Hotlines in NJ
In New Jersey, as in many other states, there are hotlines that provide free legal advice on a number of issues, including consumer rights, privacy protection, employment discrimination, health care, re-entry, and veterans’ rights. Each of these hotlines are operated by New Jersey-based organizations. Each hotline is staffed by a pro bono attorney who takes cases pro bono or for a reduced fee if you qualify. You can access hotlines directly through the organizations’ websites or by calling the numbers below.
New Jersey Citizen Action: New Jersey Citizen Action has a telephone hotline to help consumers get answers to basic legal questions. You can see their recent updates on the hotline, including what types of legal matters cannot be handled through the hotline.
Call their Consumer Hotline at 1-888-576-5529, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 3:30 PM.
Some of the topics that are covered by their telephone hotline include: Please understand that the hotline does not assist with problems such as the following: It is important to note that use of the hotline is not a complete substitute for legal advice. For no charge, a caller may receive a brief consultation with a staff attorney and an appropriate referral to another organization.
Victim Legal Assistance Project (VLAP): VLAP provides free legal services and referrals to low income people with HIV. All calls from New Jersey residents will be forwarded to VLAP. Frequently requested legal help includes assistance with:
VIP: A prisoner re-entry hotline run by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, VIP offers free legal information and counseling services to individuals who have been incarcerated and their loved ones. The hotline is also open to attorneys who are representing incarcerated clients.
You can reach VIP’s re-entry hotline at 1-800-303-0700 from 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday.
Seniors Legal Hotlines: Attorneys at the New Jersey State Bar Foundation provide legal advice to seniors through a toll-free statewide helpline. The service is offered from 10 AM to 2 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. Seniors aged 60 and older are eligible for the service.
The questions and legal advice that attorneys are limited to are those pertaining to: Answers are provided on specific questions and legal issues, not general advice about complex matters. Where feasible, callers will be referred to other legal or social service organizations.
Immigrant Hotline: The New Americans Hotline is a multilingual information service hosted by the Association for New Americans for immigrants in New Jersey. The hotline provides legal information in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, and Chinese. The hotline is available to individuals who want to learn more about their immigration options or have general legal questions about issues such as:
Immigrant Phone Consultation: New Jersey Legal Services also maintains a phone line to assist residents who wish to discuss their immigration concerns with attorneys. Accessing the immigrant hotline requires that individuals call and make an appointment with an attorney.
What Kinds of Legal Issues Do They Cover?
Each state’s legal hotlines may differ a little in what legal services they offer. But in New Jersey, the pro bono hotline covers a number of types of issues. Below is a sampling of the types of issues procedural steps and resources that these hotlines can help with.
Those in need of legal services shouldn’t let a lack of understanding of a term or process stand in their way of assistance. When answering questions, NJ’s hotline volunteers have the ability to provide general information about the law, the court system, mediation and other formal dispute resolution options.
Legal hotlines can often direct callers to other community service outlets who can help with civil legal problems and provide legal service referrals for the elderly, domestic violence victims and other vulnerable communities.
Types of cases legal volunteer attorneys assist with include (but aren’t limited to): family law, landlord and tenant, consumer issues, civil litigation, employment, bankruptcy, foreclosure, guardianship, government benefits, wills and estates, as well as veteran issues.
Who Can Use the Service?
The New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate promotes New Jersey’s Client Assistance Program which offers free legal advice from attorneys across New Jersey. This program includes access to the legal hotline for seniors and the legal hotline for persons with disabilities. There are several divisions that are available to the general public: Citizens’ Services, Family, Elder and Health, Mental Health Advocates, Residential Facilities, Utility and women in prison. Generally, all persons who fall into these divisions are eligible for these services.
NJ Helpline For Seniors
The NJ Senior Citizens Legal Hotline is part of a special initiative created by the Attorney General in 1982 to provide legal assistance for the elderly. Therefore this division is available to anyone over 60 years of age living in NJ.
The Utility Consumer Program provides services to residents living in the U.S. territories of Guam, Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands .
New Jersey Legal Services programs provide free civil legal assistance to New Jersey residents who cannot afford a private lawyer. Clients must fall meet the income limits that are set in the Legal Services Manual. In general, clients should have family incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. A person who qualifies for legal services in one category (a single wage earner supporting a family of three, for example) may not qualify in another (a two wage earner couple also supporting a family of three). Exception may be made based on other circumstances, such as high medical costs or large family size, which may affect an individual’s financial situation.
All who are eligible to receive legal assistance under state, federal, or local law may take advantage of these services: persons over 60, persons with physical disabilities, people living with HIV and AIDS, victims of domestic violence, women incarcerated in state correctional facilities, and utility consumers.
Other Free Legal Assistance in NJ
In addition to the free legal consultations we offer, there are other resources for individuals in New Jersey who need legal assistance or advice.
Legal Aid Societies
Each county in New Jersey has a legal aid society that provides free legal aid to individuals who cannot afford an attorney. Not all services are the same everywhere, but as a general rule, legal aid will assist people with inquiries about landlord-tenant issues, public benefit eligibility, expungement of criminal records and access to health care services and other public benefits. There may be limits on the types of cases legal aid societies can take or how often they may take them, but if you need legal assistance to address a problem and cannot afford an attorney, this is a good first stop.
Pro Bono Legal Clinics
Similar to legal aid societies, pro bono legal clinics are hosted by local bar associations, civic organizations and others in communities throughout the state. Rather than taking on and handling cases, volunteer attorneys meet with individuals to answer their questions, direct them to resources and guide them on the process of resolving their legal issues without the representation of a lawyer. In some cases, the clinics help individuals fill out forms, which can be brought to court to be filed in cases without representation. Pro bono clinics do not in general represent clients or file lawsuits on their behalf. They help you to pursue solutions yourself.
Online Legal Resources
As mentioned above, there are many resources available if you search the internet for agencies that govern certain areas of the law. In addition, there are resources available at most courthouses, such as access to computers so you can research your legal issue and print out relevant forms that are provided through the Administrative Office of the Courts. While the resources above are helpful, best results are obtained when individuals are represented by a lawyer who is able to provide advice and counsel based on the intricacies of their individual case.
Drawbacks of Free Legal Advice Hotlines
For as useful a resource as can be had in a pinch, free legal advice hotlines in New Jersey aren’t without their drawbacks. Most obviously, you’re not going to get the same customized, in-depth commentary from someone offering you a 15-minute phone chat as you would paying an established law firm by the hour for a full consultation. Some lawyers are strict about their ability to provide real insight even during a short phone call, citing the unwritten, unspoken contract of confidentiality when a client and lawyer connect. Others that do offer legal information rather than specific strategic counsel may only do so for a limited time, leaving you no option but to call back with a quick question, or pay for the long-form consultation you may have needed all along.
Others will explain potential solutions for your specific legal issue, but can’t or won’t explain the long-term ramifications of what they advise . This is not such an acute concern for criminal matters that will conclude soon – in the alternative, allowing you to simply plead guilty and take the lesser penalty you can expect while filing a formal appeal later – as for more complex family law matters, where taking a specific action today could mean tens of thousands more in fees to litigate against an opponent’s petition to learn more about your finances, or initiate a discovery process that can last months or even years. Regulatory consultations fall into the same category, where each side has very little patience for protracted litigation to explore state laws in more detail and determine what should be performed next.
While some states like California have unlimited hours, providing even deep consultations at set prices in their respective areas, free legal advice hotlines in NJ require you to make some tough decisions about your questions and how persistent you can afford to be with them. There are plenty of ways to maximize the value of your 15-minute call, however, including researching your matter as deeply as possible in advance.