Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prairie State Legal Services?
Prairie State Legal Services is the organization providing what many people think of as “legal aid” in 36 counties in northern and central Illinois. In reality, Prairie State is a private, not-for-profit civil law firm with a staff of skilled attorneys and paralegals who provide a full range of high quality legal services for its low-income, elderly, and disabled clients. Various government and private funders support Prairie State’s work enabling us to serve clients without charging a fee. Volunteer attorneys also help Prairie State provide legal services to clients.
What kinds of cases does Prairie State handle?
Click here for further information about the kinds of cases Prairie State handles.
Does Prairie State handle criminal cases?
No. Prairie State does not represent defendants in any criminal or traffic cases. In addition, Prairie State does not handle abortion rights cases, political redistricting cases, selective service cases, or euthanasia (mercy killing) cases.
Is Prairie State a government agency?
No. Prairie State does receive some government grants for its work, but Prairie State is an independent law firm.
Does Prairie State charge fees or have a sliding scale?
No. Prairie State does not charge clients for its services. In order to receive assistance from Prairie State, however, clients must be financially eligible for services or eligible under the terms of a special project (such as the senior citizens law project). See the section of this website titled “Special Projects.”
Do I have the right to a lawyer to represent me in court?
Most people have heard these words on television: “You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.” Many people do not realize, however, that the rights set out in these lines (called the Miranda warnings) only apply to criminal cases. In the United States, there is generally no right to have an attorney paid by the state or by the court in a non-criminal case.
Does Prairie State take every case which comes to it?
Although we serve over 16,000 clients each year, Prairie State has limited resources. Unfortunately, we do not have enough staff or volunteer attorneys to take every case or to go to court with every low-income person who needs a lawyer in court. Prairie State tries to provide at least legal advice to every person who is eligible and who comes to the program with a non-criminal case. Prairie State always works hard to expand its staff, volunteers and other resources so that it can help more of those who need legal assistance.
Who is eligible for help from Prairie State?
Click here for further information about who is eligible for help from Prairie State.
How do I apply for help from Prairie State?
Click here for further information about applying for help from Prairie State.
Does Prairie State have a waiting list for legal help?
Some Prairie State offices have a waiting list for non-emergency cases such as divorces or bankruptcies. In general, however, the cases which clients bring to Prairie State need immediate attention. Waiting lists are not practical for these cases, and therefore Prairie State does not have wait lists for most of its services.
If Prairie State cannot represent me, can it help me handle my case by myself?
Some people hope that Prairie State will prepare lengthy court papers for them to use on their own; generally this is not something Prairie State will be able to do. However, Prairie State has many excellent written legal guides and materials, and there are many helpful on-line resources in Illinois. These materials were developed by Prairie State staff and other Illinois lawyers; these materials may help people handle cases on their own. www.www.illinoislegalaid.org/