The Legal Rights Center represents clients charged in Hennepin County criminal court. We do not take cases outside of Hennepin County, nor do we take cases that are not criminal in nature (ex: we do not take civil or family court cases).
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
Cases we are unlikely to accept
To be considered for legal representation, you must complete an intake with a community advocate. Intakes happen in-person at our office (1611 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404) every Tuesday from 10AM - Noon.
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.
To be considered for legal representation, you must complete an intake with a community advocate. Intakes happen in-person at our office (1611 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404) every Tuesday from 10AM - Noon.
If you are unable to come to our office during open intake hours, please contact our main office by phone or email.
Office Phone: (612-337-0030) E-Mail: office@legalrightscenter.org
You may also contact one of our community advocates:
Leo Espinoza (Latino, immigrant, other): 612-677-2127
Edward Yellowhammer (Native, youth, other): 612-677-2122
Amber Davis (African American, youth, other): 612-677-2123
Office Phone: (612-337-0030) E-Mail: office@legalrightscenter.org
You may also contact one of our community advocates:
Leo Espinoza (Latino, immigrant, other): 612-677-2127
Edward Yellowhammer (Native, youth, other): 612-677-2122
Amber Davis (African American, youth, other): 612-677-2123
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 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.
1611 Park Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Park Avenue runs north and south between downtown Minneapolis (one block west of Chicago Avenue) 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.
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 on the Second Tuesday of the month, at the Legal Rights Center office on the Third Friday of the month, or at UROC on the Third Friday of the month. (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.
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 on the Second Tuesday of the month, at the Legal Rights Center office on the Third Friday of the month, or at UROC on the Third Friday of the month. (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.