Most civil legal aid is income-restricted, but the income ceiling is higher than people expect. Criminal defense for people who cannot afford a lawyer is provided by public defenders. Immigration, tenant defense, and reentry have their own specialized programs.
Civil cases — housing (eviction), family (custody, DV), public benefits, consumer. Does not require documentation status. Income-eligible only.
Serves people in Missouri. Help is available in English and Spanish. You do not need immigration-status documents to ask for help. The service does not report people to immigration authorities. There is no charge for this service. You do not need ID or other paperwork to ask for help.
Civil cases on the Kansas side. Tenant defense, family law, consumer, public benefits. Income-eligible.
Serves people in Kansas. Help is available in English and Spanish. You do not need immigration-status documents to ask for help. The service does not report people to immigration authorities. There is no charge for this service. You do not need ID or other paperwork to ask for help.
On the day of eviction court — even just before the hearing — a tenant advocate is sometimes on-site at the courthouse. Show up early. Do not skip court.
El Centro Inc. (Kansas side):913-677-0100 · immigration legal, ESL, family services
American Immigration Lawyers Association referral:ailalawyer.com · paid private attorneys
Do not pay a "notario" or non-lawyer for immigration help. They cannot legally represent you. If someone is asking for money to file paperwork, verify they are a lawyer or DOJ-accredited rep. AILA's referral service is one way to check.
Criminal defense & public defenders
Missouri State Public Defender (KC):816-889-7699 · for cases in MO courts when you cannot afford a lawyer
You have to ask for a public defender — it is not assigned automatically until arraignment. Tell the court at your first appearance that you cannot afford a lawyer.
Reentry (after incarceration)
Connections to Success:816-471-7676 · reentry employment, support
Reaching Out From Within: peer support across MO and KS
Record expungement — eligibility differs by state and offense. Legal Aid of Western Missouri and Kansas Legal Services both handle expungement.
Know your rights — quick reference
You can refuse to consent to a search of your home, car, or person. "I do not consent to this search."
You can ask "Am I being detained or am I free to leave?" If yes, leave. If no, you may stay silent.
You can say "I want to speak to a lawyer" — and then stop talking.
Immigration officers cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge (not an "ICE warrant"). Ask to see the warrant under the door.
You do not have to open the door for any officer without a judicial warrant.
None of this is legal advice. It is a summary. For your specific situation, call one of the legal services listed above.
