Free or low-cost legal help.

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 legal aid

Legal Aid of Western Missouri

816-474-6750

Web: www.lawmo.org

Civil cases — housing (eviction), family (custody, DV), public benefits, consumer. Does not require documentation status. Income-eligible only.

No immigration reporting
Free of charge
No ID or paperwork required

Verified No documentation required Languages: English, Spanish MO

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Kansas Legal Services

800-723-6953

Web: www.kansaslegalservices.org

Civil cases on the Kansas side. Tenant defense, family law, consumer, public benefits. Income-eligible.

No immigration reporting
Free of charge
No ID or paperwork required

Verified No documentation required Languages: English, Spanish KS

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Tenant defense (eviction)

KCMO Right to Counsel: 816-474-5112 · KCMO city limits only · free representation for income-eligible
KC Tenants Hotline: 816-533-5435 · organizing + know-your-rights + court navigation
Legal Aid of Western Missouri (housing unit): 816-474-6750
Kansas Legal Services: 800-723-6953

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.

Immigration

Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services (KC): 816-654-1191 · DACA, asylum, family petitions, citizenship
Jewish Vocational Service: 816-471-2808 · refugee resettlement + immigration legal
Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund: 816-994-2950
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
Wyandotte County Public Defender: 913-573-2945
Johnson County KS Public Defender: 913-715-3140
Federal Public Defender (Western MO): 816-471-8282
Federal Public Defender (KS): 913-551-6712

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
The Lazarus Project (MO): reentry housing
Benilde Hall: 816-842-5836 · reentry transitional housing
Veterans returning home: see Veterans Community Project

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.