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 paid representation
  • Cases which are charged outside of Hennepin County
  • 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.

​Expungements and Parole Violations
The Legal Rights Center can provide information and brief advice for expungements. Clients seeking assistance for expungements may call our office or attend a monthly meeting at the Urban League or UROC.. (See: Post-Conviction Help)

​We have a limited capacity to provide attorney representation for parole violations when no new crimes are alleged to have been committed..

Cases we must refer
The Legal Rights Center does not represent clients in appeals, plea withdrawals, or prisoner assistance matters,. For help finding representation for these kinds of cases please see the 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.



 Picture(Left to right) Community Advocates: Espinoza, Thomas, and Yellowhammer

​Legal problems? 

​Office Phone: (612-337-0030)
E-Mail: office@legalrightscenter.org

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO NEW ADULT CRIMINAL CASES ACCEPTED DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE AS OUR ATTORNEYS ARE AT FULL CAPACITY.. WE REMAIN OPEN FOR DEFENDING JUVENILE COURT CASES, AND FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE FROM COMMUNITY ADVOCATES..
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In-person intake meetings are required when applying for free attorney representation.  Please call or e-mail to arrange a meeting with one of our Community Advocates.  

Leo Espinoza (Latino, immigrant, other)
Pauline Thomas (African American, other)
​Edward Yellowhammer (Native, youth, other)



PLEASE CALL US MORE THAN A WEEK IN ADVANCE OF YOUR COURT DATE! THE LESS TIME BETWEEN YOUR LRC MEETING AND YOUR COURT APPEARANCE, THE LESS LIKELY WE WILL BE ABLE TO REPRESENT YOU!

Meetings can be held at the Legal Rights Center or at community locations.
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Please remember not to post information about your case to social media!
Our office is located at: 
1611 Park Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Park Avenue runs north and south between downtown Minneapolis (one block west of Chicago Avenue and the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome) and Lake Street. Park Avenue is a one-way street going north. The Legal Rights Center building is the second building on the east side of the street after you drive north over the bridge that goes over Interstate Highway 94.