Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

apply for FREE LEGAL help today!

Ayuda Legal Gratuita - Para obtener ayuda en español, comuníquese con VLJ al

(973) 645-1955

• You will be asked for information about your household’s income and property

• Some VLJ programs are open to anyone in the state, while others are limited to specific counties

• Until you sign a retainer agreement with a VLJ attorney, you are responsible for meeting all deadlines in your legal matter

vlj can help with

For more information about specific VLJ programs and legal areas, please click the below squares. If you need help with something else, please visit NJ 211 or call 2-1-1.

VLJ CAN ALSO HELP THE FOLLOWING POPULATIONS

If you identify as one or more of the following, you should contact VLJ immediately to see if we can help you with your legal issue(s).

EVICTION DEFENSE

VLJ’s Tenancy Program - If you are an Essex County tenant facing eviction and you have an upcoming trial date or are waiting to be given a trial date, you may be eligible to speak to an attorney about your case. Essex County tenants facing eviction can call (973) 943-4754 on MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS, between 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 1:30 - 4:00 PM Eastern to register for our next advisory legal clinic.

Services are currently limited to Essex County, NJ tenants only.

Videos

• Understanding a Notice to Quit in New Jersey

• Habitability in New Jersey

Consumer debt defense & filing for bankruptcy

VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program - Get free legal help with lawsuits for unpaid bills, debt collection cases in the Special Civil Court, and bankruptcy.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, call VLJ at (973) 645-1955 or apply online by clicking on “Online Intake Form” below.

To learn more about your rights, the following legal seminars are made available by VLJ. All that’s required is a device and Wi-Fi.

• How to protect yourself from debt collector harassment?

• You’re being sued! What to do?

• What you need to know before you file for bankruptcy

CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT

VLJ’s Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) - Get free legal help with expunging eligible New Jersey criminal records.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, call VLJ at (973) 645-1955 or apply online by clicking on “Online Intake Form” below.

divorce

VLJ’s Divorce Program - Get free legal help with certain types of divorce cases in New Jersey.

Videos

• An Introduction to VLJ’s Divorce Program

• Divorce in New Jersey

To learn more about your rights, the following legal seminars are made available by VLJ. All that’s required is a device and Internet access.

• Overview of divorce in New Jersey

• Overview of divorce in New Jersey (En español)

• Understanding divorce & custody

• How to file out your Case Information Statement (CIS)

• Process Service in New Jersey

• Service by publication

veterans

VLJ's Veterans Legal Program - Get free legal help for certain civil legal issues that impact veterans, including criminal record expungement, driver’s license restoration, bankruptcy, consumer debt defense, eviction, child support modification, and estate planning.

VLJ CANNOT advise on:

• municipal court (criminal) matters that are still open/active,

• matters outside of New Jersey,

• immigration,

• custody, or

• benefit appeals.

education law issues

VLJ’s Children’s Representation Program - Parents and guardians can get free legal help to:

• make sure children in need of special education services are getting the necessary services in school,

• respond to children being harassed or bullied at school, and/or

• respond to children facing discipline issues.

The first step is to complete an application by calling the Education Law Center at 973-624-1815 x 30 or Disability Rights New Jersey at 800-922-7233 or 609-292-9742. These organizations will talk to you about your issue and determine if you have a legal issue that should be referred to VLJ’s office for services.

To learn more about your rights, the following legal seminars are made available by VLJ. All that’s required is a device and Wi-Fi.

• How to advocate for special education services when schools reopen

• Handout: FAQ on Compensatory Education in Response to COVID-19

• Filing due process and invoking stay-put when you disagree with your child’s graduation

• Preparing and Filing Emergent Relief for Stay-Put

families in newark’s south ward

VLJ’s South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program - Get free legal help with certain civil legal issues impacting residents of Newark’s South Ward.

VLJ is a member of Newark’s South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program. Newark’s South Ward includes the following zip codes: 07108, 07112, 07114. Parents and guardians who live in the South Ward, and/or have children who attend school in the South Ward can access free civil legal help through VLJ.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, call VLJ at (973) 645-1955 or apply online by clicking on “Online Intake Form” below.

TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS

VLJ’s New Jersey Trafficking Survivors Legal Assistance Program - Get free civil legal help for victims/survivors of human trafficking in New Jersey.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, call VLJ at (973) 645-1955 or apply online by clicking on button below.