Legal Aid & Record Relief
Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS)
Brooklyn · Queens
Free court-appointed defense in criminal, family and immigration matters (Brooklyn and Queens), plus civil advocacy, social work, and the Reentry Speaks support group.
What they offer
Restorative justice alternative to incarceration for violent felonies, centered on the harmed party's needs.
Who can get help
Cases referred through Brooklyn and Bronx DA's offices.
How to start
Referral
Details change, so call ahead to confirm hours and eligibility.
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Housing, healthcare, job training and legal help for homeless and low-income New Yorkers affected by HIV/AIDS; Emergency and Transitional Housing program gives 12 months of housing for people recently released.
Legal Aid & Record Relief
Center for Community Alternatives (CCA)
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Statewide network for people affected by mass incarceration: substance treatment and recovery communities, sentence mitigation, court advocacy, workforce readiness, civic restoration, emergency/transitional housing, youth mentoring.
Legal Aid & Record Relief
Federal Defenders of New York
Brooklyn
Defends people accused of federal crimes who cannot afford a lawyer, handles appeals, and supports reentry programs for people with substance use disorder and mental illness. Eastern District covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island; Southern covers Manhattan and the Bronx.