Need an Attorney?

Legal Rights Center lawyers defend adults and juveniles in criminal cases heard in any Hennepin County courtroom. There is never a fee for our services.

The Legal Rights Center requires an in-person client interview prior to agreeing to representation. We have open (walk-in) intake hours three days a week at different locations in Minneapolis. If none of these times work for you, please call our office at 612-337-0030 and request an intake appointment.

Intake Schedule

Tuesdays

Legal Rights Center, 10am-12pm
1611 Park Ave. S.
612-337-0030
Español disponible

Wednesdays

Pillsbury House, 4-5:00pm
3501 Chicago Ave. S.
612-824-0708

Thursdays

CLUES, 2-4:00pm
720 E. Lake St.
612-746-3500
En español

Oak Park Center, 4-5:00pm
1701 Oak Park Ave. N.
612-377-7000

Fridays

Upper Midwest American Indian Center, 12:30-3:30pm
1035 W. Broadway
612-522-4436

For Civil Law matters (not including family law), Legal Rights Center staff are available at the LAP Clinic of the Fourth District Court at the following times:

Mondays: 11am-1pm

Fridays: 11am-1pm (Español disponible)

A lawyer from the Volunteer Lawyers Network will be present and may be able to provide immediate legal advice or service.

Case Selection Guidelines

The Legal Rights Center will not accept a case when the client can afford a private attorney. Otherwise, the Legal Rights Center reserves the right to accept or decline a case for any reason. We have limited resources, and must allocate them efficiently for the greater good.

Income guidelines

Our general standard is household income that is less than 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for felonies, and 125% for misdemeanors. But we inquire about and consider additional factors that could make private attorney representation unaffordable to a particular client.

Preferred cases

• Juvenile and first time adult offenders
• Cases which present issues affecting the quality of justice for people of color
• Cases in which the Legal Rights Center’s involvement is likely to positively impact the client’s future
• Cases impacting constitutional rights

Cases we are unlikely to accept

• Cases likely to inflame ill will within or between communities
• Cases for which the client already has representation
• Requests made too close to a trial date for us to adequately prepare
• Cases in which the defendant’s criminal history suggests Legal Rights Center involvement is not likely to positively impact the client’s future

Cases we must refer

The Legal Rights Center does not represent clients in appeals, expungements, plea withdrawals, parole violations, jail conditions, or any other post-conviction matter. For help finding representation for these kinds of cases please see the Free Post-Conviction Help page.

For help finding no-fee civil legal help (including drivers license issues resulting from DWI infractions), or for criminal court help outside of Hennepin County, please see the Online Legal Services page.