Criminal Legal Advice, Education and Representation - Neighborhood Justice Center

500 Laurel Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Low-income residents of Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties for most services; Expungement assistance available to low-income residents of Ramsey County only
All documents pertaining to the legal issues including any paperwork received concerning the case and the names, phone numbers and addresses of all persons involved. Preparing and bringing a written summary of the legal situation will also make the most of the time available with the attorney. Criminal Expungement Program: If possible, obtain copies of court records and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) records ahead of time. To obtain court records from the Minnesota Court Informational Systems (MNCIS), go to any state courthouse and request records or visit website, www.mncourts.gov/caserecords. Must physically be at the courthouse when requesting records to receive complete records history. Requesting court records via the website from a location other than the courthouse will not yield complete records. If unable to pay fee, obtain the Case Records Search Results information listing all cases and case numbers. There is a $10 fee for each record.
8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday

Somali, Spanish, Hmong, Arabic

Call for appointment; complete application on website

None, but donations are requested when clients are over 125% of poverty guidelines

Dakota County, MN
Ramsey County, MN
Washington County, MN

Description

Education for Low Income Refugees, Immigrants, and Juveniles: Seeks to clarify what constitutes illegal behavior in the United States and how to avoid criminal behavior when dealing with law enforcement. The education program for juveniles focuses on helping juvenile persons avoid illegal behavior and encourage positive interaction with law enforcement. NJC partners with schools and other human service programs to help low income juveniles of color increase their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and how to avoid criminal behavior. Expungements: Program seeks to assist persons with a prior criminal record in getting that record sealed by the court through its expungement process; serves Ramsey County residents only Internal Affairs Complaints: Assists people who believe they have been unfairly targeted or mistreated by law enforcement with filing a complaint with law enforcement's Internal Affairs Division for investigation of misconduct Legal Representation and Advice: provides assistance to disadvantaged and undeserved persons who face criminal charges and need legal representation or advice to obtain the best possible outcome. The project seeks to serve populations who are targeted by law enforcement and not always treated equally under the law. Many of the clients represented also face immigration consequences because defendants increasingly are refugees or immigrants with charges against them that could result in deportation proceedings. Staff look beyond the immediate legal problems, helping to arrange such services as chemical dependency or mental health treatment. Bilingual, bi-cultural community advocates fill paralegal and research needs, serve as liaisons between clients and the court system, and help educate clients to avoid future problems.

Providing organization

Neighborhood Justice Center

Provides representation services to individuals charged with crimes and cannot afford an attorney

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