How to Get a Free Lawyer in Oregon
If you have a legal problem and can’t afford a lawyer, you might wonder: Can I get one for free? In Oregon, some people can get free legal help. But it depends on your income and the type of legal issue you have.
This guide explains who qualifies and what to do if you don’t.
Who can get a free lawyer in Oregon?
You may qualify for a free lawyer if you have a low income and:
- Are charged with a crime.
- Are an immigrant facing deportation.
- The government is trying to take away basic rights, like the right to raise your child.
- Have a serious legal issue that affects your safety, housing, job, or income.
Free lawyers for criminal cases
If you're charged with a crime and can’t afford a lawyer, the court must give you one. This lawyer is called a public defender.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Public defenders are free or low-cost lawyers paid by the government.
- They can work for themselves, in a law firm, or at a public defender’s office.
- You can get a public defender if you have a low income and you’re charged with a crime.
- You can also get a free lawyer to help you appeal your criminal case if you are convicted.
- You usually don’t get one for minor violations, like traffic issues.
To ask for a public defender:
- Go to your court hearings.
- Tell the judge you can’t afford a lawyer.
- Fill out paperwork about your financial situation.
Learn more about your right to a criminal defense lawyer on this government site.
Free lawyers for immigration issues
Oregon gives free help to immigrants with low incomes. This help started in 2022 through the Equity Corps of Oregon and its network of legal providers.
You may qualify if you:
- Live in Oregon.
- Have income under 200% of the federal poverty level.
- Face an immigration issue, such as deportation.
Learn more about the Equity Corp of Oregon and how to apply here.
Free lawyers for certain cases with the state
If the state is trying to take away important rights—like the right to raise your kids or to live freely in the community—you can usually get a free lawyer to help you in court if you can’t afford to hire one.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Parents accused of abusing or neglecting their kids can get a free lawyer to help them through the court process if they can’t afford to hire one.
- People with mental illness can get a free lawyer if the government wants to commit them to a hospital or make them take psychiatric medicine.
To get a free lawyer:
- Go to your court hearings.
- Tell the judge you can’t afford a lawyer.
- Fill out paperwork about your financial situation.
Free lawyers for other legal problems
Some nonprofit organizations or programs offer free legal help in other situations. This help is often called legal aid.
Legal aid may be able to help with:
- Evictions or unsafe housing.
- Domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other abuse.
- Unsafe working conditions or job loss.
- Trouble with government benefits (Oregon Health Plan, food stamps, etc.).
- Erasing criminal records or evictions that make it hard to find a job or rent a home.
Key points:
- This help is usually only for people with low incomes.
- There’s no right to a free lawyer in these kinds of cases.
- Free services are limited and go to the most urgent cases.
Use our Guided Help tool to get matched with organizations in Oregon that provide free legal help.
Frequently Asked Questions
You still have options if you don't qualify for a free lawyer and can’t afford to hire a full-priced lawyer.
Option 1: Hire a lawyer who charges a contingency fee
A contingency fee means you only pay if you win your case. The lawyer takes a percentage of your winnings.
This fee arrangement is common in:
- Car accidents or injury cases.
- Medical malpractice.
- Unpaid wages or wrongful firing.
- Social Security disability appeals.
- Consumer protection cases.
Contact Oregon's Lawyer Referral Service to find a lawyer that works on a contingency-fee basis.
Option 2: Look for low-cost legal help
Some lawyers charge sliding scale fees, meaning the cost depends on your income. You may be able to get sliding scale help for:
- Divorce or custody cases.
- Landlord-tenant issues.
- Wills and estate planning.
- Some criminal cases.
Use our Legal Directory to find organizations providing low-cost services.
Option 3: Represent yourself
Many people handle legal problems on their own, especially in:
- Divorce or custody cases.
- Landlord-tenant disputes.
- Small claims court.
If you decide to represent yourself, you can get help from:
- Oregon Law Help: How-to guides and articles
- Oregon Judicial Department Forms Center: Free court forms
- Family law facilitators and court self-help centers: Free court support for family, housing, and small claims cases
- Law libraries: Access to additional forms, legal research tools, and legal books. Find your local law library using the Legal Directory on this site.
If you’re looking for non-criminal help:
- Use our Guided Help tool to get matched with organizations based on your income and legal problem.
- Contact organizations and apply for help. Even if you don’t qualify for a free lawyer, you may still get advice or help with forms.
- Be ready to share:
- Brief details about your problem.
- Household income and size.
- Urgent case deadlines.
Sliding scale fees change based on your income. For example, you may be charged:
- $60 per hour if your income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- $80 per hour for income at or below 250% of the FPL.
- $100 per hour for income at or below 300% of the FPL.
Some programs may use other income measures, like Area Median Income (AMI).
Oregon's Modest Means Program connects people who have low-to-medium incomes with lawyers who offer lower rates.
Modest Means lawyers in Oregon charge sliding scale fees. If you’re eligible, you pay either $60, $80, or $100 per hour for legal help. (For comparison, a typical Oregon lawyer charges $300 or more per hour.)
Oregon Modest Means lawyers help with:
- Family law.
- Criminal defense.
- Landlord-tenant issues and evictions.
The FPL is a number the government uses to decide who qualifies for services like food stamps, health insurance, and legal help. The FPL depends on your household size.
Most free legal services use a percentage of the FPL to decide eligibility—often 125% or 200%.
For example, in 2025:
- A single person earning $31,300 is at 200% of the FPL.
- A family of four earning $64,300 is also at 200% of the FPL.