|
The Public Defender Office can only represent people charged
with crimes (or who are about to be charged with crimes); it does
not represent people on such matters as divorces, car accidents,
wills and consumer complaints. If you are indigent and have a
non-criminal problem, you may be eligible for free representation
by Rhode Island Legal Services. Both agencies have standards for
financial eligibility. If you receive public assistance you are
almost certainly eligible; even if you do not, you may be eligible.
The main office of Legal Services is at 56 Pine Street, Providence,
Rhode Island (Tel: 401-274-2652) and there are offices elsewhere
in the State. Legal Services sometimes will take cases for people
who are not strictly eligible, and those cases are handled by
volunteer lawyers. You may also contact the Rhode Island Bar Association,
Lawyer Referral Service. The Lawyer Referral Service maintains
a list of attorneys willing to take cases where people cannot
afford full fees. The Bar Association Referral Service is located
at 115 Cedar Street, Providence, RI 02903 (Tel: 401-421-5740).
|
