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
Membership organization of low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, incarceration and homelessness; organizing plus direct services.
Who can get help
Low-income New Yorkers affected by these issues.
How to start
See website to join
Details change, so call ahead to confirm hours and eligibility.
Similar services
Housing & Shelter
Housing Works
Brooklyn
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)
Brooklyn
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.