Legal Resources
Correctional Legal Services For Massachusetts State Inmates And Parolees
Prisoners Legal Services (PLS) offers legal assistance to inmates in cases relating to their civil rights, such as prison conditions, medical care, brutality cases and AIDS in prison, providing telephone information, advice, and self-help manuals. PLS was previously known as Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services (MCLS).
10 Winthrop Square, 3rd floor
Boston, MA 02110
617-482-2773
State Prisoners, dial *9004# or 877-249-1342
County Jail prisoners, dial 617-482-4124
Families, dial 800-882-1413
Open Mondays, 1-4 p.m.
Northeastern University Prisoners’ Rights Clinic represents state prisoners in Massachusetts at parole release hearings for prisoners serving serious second-degree life sentences.
Prisoner’s Rights Clinic
Northeastern University School of Law
140 Dockser Hall
360 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Collect Calls: (617) 373-3660
Open May to December.
Provide representation for hearings scheduled in July, August, November, and December only.
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Lawyer Referrals
Committee for Public Counsel Services: (Public Defender’s Office) offers criminal defense, assistance for children and parents in family interventions proceedings, youth advocacy in juvenile delinquency matters, assistance in mental health-related cases, and requests from sex offender registry clients.
44 Bromfield St.
Boston, MA 02108
617-482-6212
Prisoners dial *9009# or (800) 882-2095
National Lawyers Guild Lawyer Referral Service
14 Beacon St., Ste. 407
Boston, MA 02108
617-227-7008
Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service makes referrals to lawyers throughout the greater Boston area for both criminal and civil cases. There is no cost for contacting the Lawyer Referral Service. The maximum charge for the first half-hour consultation with a lawyer is $25. The lawyer’s fee is then arranged between you and the lawyer. For those financially eligible, the Lawyer Referral Service also has a reduced fee panel of lawyers.
16 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108
617-742-0625
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service makes referrals to lawyers throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for both criminal and civil cases. There is no cost for contacting the Lawyer Referral Service. The maximum charge for the first half-hour consultation with a lawyer is $25. The lawyer’s fee is then arranged between you and the lawyer. For those financially eligible, the Lawyer Referral Service also has a reduced fee panel of lawyers.
20 West St.
Boston, MA 02111
800-392-6164
617-542-9103
New England Innocence Project handles DNA cases.
Goodwin Procter LLP
53 State St.
Boston, MA 02109
617-305-6505
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Medical Referrals
Health Law Advocates assists people having difficulty getting adequate medical care while incarcerated. Incarcerated people may write to them, but Health Law Associates does not accept collect calls.
30 Winter St., Ste. 1040
Boston, MA 02108
617-338-5241
Disabled Persons Protection Commission Hotline
300 Granite St., Ste. 404
Braintree, MA 02184
800-426-9009
Prisoners, dial *9001#
Disability Law Center of Massachusetts
1 Beacon St., Ste. 925
Boston, MA 02108
617-557-9167
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Financial Assistance
Upsolve is a non-profit that provides free assistance to help individuals navigate the bankruptcy process and relieve their debts.
150 Court St., 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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HARVARD LAW SCHOOL DOES NOT SUPPORT, ENDORSE, OR PROVIDE OFFICIAL REFERRALS TO ANY OF THESE GROUPS OR WEBSITES. THEY ARE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.