Legal Resources
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation
(337) 237-4320
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation is a private, non-profit law firm. It provides free legal assistance in civil cases to those who could not otherwise afford it. They are funded solely by grants and donations. This program is financially assisted by the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts Programs of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
Advocacy Center
(800) 960-7705
The Advocacy Center is Louisiana’s protection and advocacy system. Federal law requires that a protection and advocacy system operate in every state to protect the rights of persons with mental or physical disabilities. The Advocacy Center is also funded by the state to provide legal assistance to people residing in nursing homes in Louisiana, as well as to residents 60 years and older of Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Tammany Parishes; and to advocate for the rights of group home residents. Among the diverse services offered are legal representation, information and referral, outreach and training. This organization is a tax-exempt, private non-profit corporation organized in 1978 and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is based in New Orleans with branch offices in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Shreveport.
American Bar Association on Mental and Physical Disability Law-Commission on Disability Rights
The ABA has a deep and long-standing commitment to diversity and to promoting opportunities for persons with disabilities in the legal community. One of the ABA’s four fundamental goals is the elimination of bias and the enhancement of diversity in the profession. Part of that vision includes access and participation in all aspects of the legal system by persons with mental and physical disabilities. The ABA’s Commission on Disability Rights spearheads this effort.
American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana (ACLU of Louisiana)
(504) 522-0617
ACLU of Louisiana believes that people accused of a crime should have access to the basic necessities: a clean living space; a competent lawyer; food; and medical care. ACLU of LA fights for these ideas in the courts on behalf of people who have been mistreated by the government. ACLU works to get stories of rights abuses into the press. ACLU of LA works in the community, organizing town meetings, educating people about their rights and advocating with politicians and policymakers. ACLU also works in the legislature, advocating for laws that will protect everyone and fighting measures that would limit our freedoms.
The Arc – National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability
NCCJD serves as a national clearinghouse for information and training on the topic of people with I/DD as victims, witnesses and suspects or offenders of crime. The Arc will partner with a broad spectrum of criminal justice professionals, including those in the law enforcement, legal and disability fields at the national, state and local levels to create safer lives for people with I/DD who become involved in the criminal justice system. The NCCJD’s products and services include:
- Training and technical assistance (including web-based and on-site training)
- On-line resource library (including fact sheets, current research, state-by-state database of resources and relevant laws and legislation and directory of expert attorneys, witnesses, forensic interviewers and victim advocates
- White papers, literature reviews and reports to promote identification and evaluation support of promising practices
- Public awareness via a robust web site housing a national resource library and issue-specific marketing/communication strategies
NCCJD’s goal is to build the capacity of the criminal justice system to respond to gaps in existing services for people with disabilities, focusing on people with I/DD who remain a hidden population within the criminal justice system with little or no access to advocacy supports or services.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
(202) 467-5730
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. Through precedent-setting litigation and in the public policy arena, the Bazelon Center works to advance and preserve the rights of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.
Health Law Advocates of Louisiana
(504) 267-9156
Health Law Advocates of Louisiana (HLA/LA) is the only nonprofit public interest law firm in Louisiana dedicated exclusively to health care access. Launched in February 2010, HLA/LA provides free legal representation and assistance to eligible Louisiana families. HLA/LA serves low and middle income residents from all parts of the state. Many of their clients are children, elderly, or those coping with disabilities. All face barriers to health care treatment that result in suffering and loss. HLA/LA strives to make a difference in the lives of ordinary people who simply are unable to cut through legal, administrative or financial barriers to obtaining needed health care treatment.
Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana (JJPL)
(504) 522-5437
Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana’s mission is to transform the state’s juvenile justice system into one that builds on the strengths of young people, families, and communities to ensure children are given the greatest opportunities to grow and thrive.
Legal Services of North Louisiana
Monroe (318) 699-0889
Natchitoches (318) 352-7220
Shreveport (318) 222-7186
The general purpose of LSNL is to serve the individual legal needs of the community and establish the program as a responsive community service agency, while providing quality legal services to the eligible client population. LSNL is a non-profit Corporate Law firm providing legal services to those who cannot afford a private lawyer. No fee is charged for these services. However, before a case can be accepted, certain requirements must be met.
Louisiana Appleseed
(504) 561-1046
http://www.appleseednetwork.org/louisiana-appleseed/louisiana/
Louisiana Appleseed’s goal is to advance social justice by effecting change at the policy, or systemic, level. Louisiana Appleseed’s projects seek to increase access to education, opportunity and justice.
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV)
(225) 752-1296
The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) is a statewide network of domestic violence programs, supportive organizations, and individuals that share the goal of ending violence against women and children in Louisiana. LCADV empowers its members through advocacy, education, resource development, allocation of funds, and technical assistance.
Louisiana CURE (Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants)
CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants) is an International organization that seeks to reduce crime through reform of the criminal justice system, especially prison reform. CURE began in Texas in 1972 when citizens went to the legislature in Austin to work against the death penalty. CURE was formally organized in Texas in 1975 and became a National organization in 1985 & an International organization in 2005. Louisiana CURE began as an inmate chapter at Angola State Penitentiary. In 1990, citizens began a Louisiana state chapter outside prison and a temporary Board of Directors was appointed. In 1992, a formal Board was elected and an Executive Director established on a permanent basis in Baton Rouge.
Louisiana State Bar Association
(504) 566-1600
The purpose of the Louisiana State Bar Association is to aid in the administration of justice as officers of the court, assist the Supreme Court in the regulation of the practice of law, uphold the honor of the courts and the profession, promote the professional competence of attorneys, increase public understanding of and respect for the law, and encourage collegiality among its members.
Louisiana Supreme Court
(504) 310-2400
Located in the Supreme Court Building in New Orleans, the Law Library of Louisiana provides valuable services and resources for the judiciary, the bar, and the public throughout the state and beyond. The library, which was founded in 1855, now contains nearly 230,000 volumes in print and microform, including the complete chronology of both statutes and court reports for all fifty states and the federal government. Naturally, the collection of Louisiana legal materials is particularly rich historically.
Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ)
(225) 287-7900
Under the direction of the Deputy Secretary, the Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) has policy oversight and support responsibilities for state programs for youth who are adjudicated delinquent, as well as any youth and their families ruled in need of services by courts of juvenile jurisdiction (FINS – Families in Need of Services). OJJ is responsible for youth assigned to our care by the court system, either for supervision or custody in residential placement, or secure care. OJJ also provides services to youth under local court supervision. OJJ staff supports the Administrative Remedy Procedure disciplinary appeal process for juveniles and performs quality assurance activities for the juvenile facilities.
Orleans Public Defender
(504) 821-8101
The Orleans Public Defenders Office (OPD) exists to provide the citizens of Orleans Parish with the highest quality client-centered legal representation in Louisiana’s criminal and juvenile justice system. OPD’s vision is to create a community-oriented defender office built upon the zealous defense of the poor and indigent while acknowledging the strengths of clients, families and communities. OPD acts to 1) protect the guarantees of the Louisiana and United States Constitutions and maintain adherence to the rule of law, 2) foster a more open and inclusive society by increasing access to and protection within the courts for the poor and indigent, and 3) assist in the development and expansion of rehabilitation and alternative programs for clients and their families.
Probono.net
This site provides resources for pro bono and legal services attorneys and others working to assist low income or disadvantaged clients. Pro Bono Net is a unique organization in its use of information technology and collaboration among the various parts of the public interest legal community.
Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE)
(504) 943-1902
www.r-a-e.org
RAE will promote reform-minded leadership among those who have been imprisoned by assisting them during their transition process to ensure a successful reentry, and by empowering exonerees to confront and reform the system that victimized them.
Safe Streets/Strong Communities
(504) 522-3949
www.safestreetsnola.org
Safe Streets/Strong Communities is a community-based organization that campaigns for a new criminal justice system in New Orleans, one that creates safe streets and strong communities for everyone, regardless of race or economic status.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
Baton Rouge (225) 448-0080
Covington (985) 893-0076
Hammond (985) 345-2130
Houma (985) 851-5687
New Orleans (504) 529-1000
SLLS began in 1979 with a grant from the Legal Services Corporation. Back then, SLLS gave legal help to poor people in five north shore parishes. December 31, 2002 marked an important turning point for SLLS. That year SLLS merged with New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation (NOLAC). That merger added five New Orleans area parishes to SLLS’ service area to create a coverage area roughly the size of Connecticut.
US Department of Justice ADA Information
1-800-514-0301
The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through a toll-free ADA Information Line. This service permits businesses, State and local governments, or others to call and ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements including questions about the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.