Three Organizations.
One Purpose.
Making Justice More Accessible For All
Who We Are
We are three organizations that provide free legal services to people in South Dakota and local Tribal Nations.
We are all nonprofits funded through grants and the
generosity of donors.
We created SD Law Help to coordinate our work. It’s a website where you can apply for help, and we will direct you to the right organization.
East River Legal Services
East River Legal Services provides free legal help, mostly in Eastern South Dakota. They have a team of over 20 and two offices in the eastern part of the state.
Dakota Plains Legal Services
Dakota Plains Legal Services offers free legal help, mostly in Western South Dakota and on Tribal Lands throughout the state. They have a team of over 20 who work in state and Tribal Courts.
Access to Justice
Access to Justice is a statewide program of the South Dakota Bar Association. Access to Justice does not have staff lawyers. Instead, they connect clients with volunteer attorneys who provide free or lower-cost legal services.
Which organization should I contact?
If you are applying for legal help:
You do not need to choose your organization. We will do that for you. Fill out our form here, and the right organization will be in touch.
If you have already applied for help:
The right organization will be in touch. You will get an email or phone call within 2-5 business days of applying.
If you are a volunteer or community organization:
To discuss working together, check out our Volunteer page or Community Partnership page to learn more.
Who We Serve
We provide free or lower-cost services for 3,000+ individuals each year.
Low-Income
Most of our services are for people who make a lower income (based on Federal Poverty Guidelines).
People 60 & Older
We often help people age 60 and older in cases like elder abuse, long-term care, and more.
Disaster Survivors
We help people who need legal support after natural disasters through our hotline at (605) 444-3719.
Veterans
Veterans can get help for a variety of civil legal matters.
Domestic Violence Survivors
We can often help domestic violence victims, depending on the situation.
People With Disabilities
Many of the people who received legal aid identified as having a disability.
Do I qualify?
The short answer: It depends. We can not take on every case, but we encourage you to apply to find out.
You may qualify for free or lower-cost support if:
You have a lower income.
Each situation is different. If you make less than two times the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify.
Depending on the number and ages of people in your household, your eligibility can change. When you apply, we’ll calculate whether you qualify.
OR:
- You are 60 years or older.
- You are a victim of domestic violence.
- You are a veteran.
How We May Help
We give free or low-cost legal help to as many people as possible. Here are several ways we may help:
01
Legal Counseling (most common)
We guide you and recommend next steps — through email, a phone call, or an in-person meeting.
The lawyer does not “represent” you. This means they do not act for you. (For example, they will not file your papers or speak for you in court.)
02
Court Forms & Self-Help Resources
We help you understand how the legal process works so you can represent yourself.
(For example: helping you fill out court forms or teaching you about your rights.)
03
A Lawyer Who Represents You (least common)
A lawyer takes on your whole case. They file your papers and act for you. We have limited lawyers available, so only a few people can get this level of service.
Types of Cases
We take on a variety of civil legal cases. A civil legal case is a situation where someone is not charged with a crime or misdemeanor. That could include legal situations like:
- Family Issues
- Custody & Children
- Protection Orders
- Housing
- Debt/Bankruptcy
- Wills & End-of-Life-Planning
- Consumer Protection
- Public Benefits
- Tribal Law
- Disabilities/Discrimination
- Employment
We do NOT take on cases like:
- Criminal Law
- Personal Injury
- Class Action Lawsuits
- Immigration
Please note: Each organization helps with different kinds of legal problems. Please apply online to find out which one can help you.
Our Goal
Promote Fairer Treatment
Without free legal aid, many people are at an unfair disadvantage. Our goal is for everyone in our state to have access to justice, regardless of income or life situation.
Clarify Legal Issues
The legal system can be confusing and complex. We’re here to help people understand their rights, navigate the system, and know what steps to take next.
Protect What’s Important
Legal issues often impact life’s basic needs. We want to help people protect rights that affect stability and well-being, like housing and family.
Build a Better Future
We believe in doing more than just solving immediate problems. By connecting people to community resources, we set them up to thrive long-term.
Apply To Get Help
01
Fill out our online form.
02
We’ll send your application to the right organization.
03
The team will reach out to you with next steps.
I already applied. What's my application status?
Your application was sent to the best organization for you (based on your answers).
You should get an email or phone call 2-5 days after submitting your application.
If you haven’t gotten a reply yet, make sure to check your spam folder or voicemail.