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Legal Services

    Results: 8

  • Diversion Programs (3)
    FF-0500.1800

    Diversion Programs

    FF-0500.1800

    Community-based programs that provide and/or coordinate the delivery of individual, group and family counseling, training, employment assistance and other prescribed social services for individuals who have been arrested for a minor offense and directed to participate in an educational or treatment program in lieu of prosecution for the offense. In most cases, the courts suspend prosecution for a prescribed period and dismiss charges altogether against those who successfully complete the program. Included are jail diversion programs which ensure that mentally ill offenders receive treatment and support services rather than spend time in jail.
  • Housing Discrimination Assistance (1)
    FT-1800.3000

    Housing Discrimination Assistance

    FT-1800.3000

    Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been denied an opportunity to purchase, lease or rent the home or apartment of their choice due to their age, gender, family composition (including families with children under the age of 18 and pregnant women), race or color, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status, actions that are prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 in the U.S. Federal fair housing law also extends limited protection to recovering alcoholics who actively and regularly participate in a medically based treatment or AA program, and people with a drug use disorder including those who have prior convictions for illegal drug use (but not for drug dealing or manufacture). Assistance may also be available to other individuals who are protected from housing discrimination by state or local laws with a broader set of protected categories, or which cover properties that are exempt from federal fair housing laws but are protected under state law.
  • Immigrant Visa Application Filing Assistance (3)
    FT-3600.3300

    Immigrant Visa Application Filing Assistance

    FT-3600.3300

    Programs that assist in filing petitions by aliens who are seeking admission to the United States with the intention of residing in the U.S. on a permanent basis. In most cases, a relative or prospective employer files the immigrant visa application on behalf of the individual. Certain applicants such as investors, workers with extraordinary ability and certain special immigrants may petition on their own behalf. Petitioners apply for a specific immigrant classification for the beneficiary, e.g., priority worker, spouse of a lawful permanent resident and, when the petition has been approved, wait until a visa number becomes available.
  • Juvenile Courts (1)
    FC-8200.3500

    Juvenile Courts

    FC-8200.3500

    State courts that have jurisdiction over minors who have been charged with an offense that would be considered criminal if committed by an adult, who have committed status offenses or traffic violations, or who have been neglected or physically or sexually abused.
  • Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution (1)
    FT-4500.4600

    Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution

    FT-4500.4600

    Programs that help tenants and landlords resolve disputes regarding security and other rental deposits, unsanitary conditions, failure to make repairs, privacy, notice requirements, excessive rent increases, nonpayment of rent, neglect or damage to property, overcrowding or other grievances.
  • Legal Counseling (2)
    FP-4000

    Legal Counseling

    FP-4000

    Programs that are staffed by lawyers who offer information and guidance regarding legal matters, proposed lines of conduct, claims or contentions including opinions on the party's rights, responsibilities and liabilities; and who offer suggestions for an appropriate course of action, but do not represent clients in court.
  • Probation (1)
    FF-0500.6550

    Probation

    FF-0500.6550

    Programs that provide for the formal supervision of individuals who have been convicted of a crime, usually a lesser offense, and given a suspended sentence which releases them into the community under specific conditions which may include a reduced term in a correctional facility, fines, restitution to the victim, community work, counseling, "good conduct" and other stipulations.
  • Public Defender (1)
    FJ-6700.6500

    Public Defender

    FJ-6700.6500

    An elected or appointed public official (usually of a county), who is an attorney regularly assigned by the courts to defend people accused of crimes who cannot afford a private attorney. Counties may also have alternate public defenders, attorneys who represent persons charged with a crime who cannot afford to hire a private attorney in situations where the public defender has a conflict of interest. In each Federal Judicial District there is also a federal public defender, an attorney who is appointed by the court to represent individuals charged with federal offenses who cannot afford to retain their own attorney. Some states have a state public defender to supervise the provision of attorneys to convicted indigent individuals for appeals.