Assists individuals with civil legal problems only - no criminal matters. A criminal case is where the state has charged someone with a crime. A civil case is a dispute between parties. East River Legal Services (ERLS) provides the following services in civil cases: Advocacy Legal Counseling Self-Help Services (Clinics/Workshops/Informational Forms) In-Depth Legal Representation Community Education Housing Retention Specialist Case priorities include support for the family, preserving housing, maintaining economic stability, safety, health, and populations with special vulnerabilities. ERLS provides services to low-income residents with legal issues in the following areas of law: Domestic Violence Victims Elder Law Housing Public Entitlements (i.e. Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF, WIC) Social Security/SSI Disability Veterans There is no guaranteed acceptance of any case. The above examples also do not necessarily disqualify cases outside of these parameters. Cases ERLS does NOT assist with include: criminal, business, or immigration. Services Disclaimer: ERLS's ability to provide legal assistance is subject to change based on availability of staff/volunteers. ERLS reserves the right to deny or limit services based on program resources and priorities.

East River Legal Services (ERLS) Veterans Hotline assists veterans who are homeless or experiencing homelessness. The Hotline can help with legal questions that do not have to be related to housing. The Hotline can also help to complete an application for services over the phone.

Seeks to match individuals with volunteer (pro-bono) lawyers for low-income individuals who are unable to get help from the two legal services organizations in the state (East River Legal Services and / or Dakota Plains Legal Services).

The Attorney General's Office is responsible for three jobs - fighting crime by assisting city and county law enforcement, providing legal representation for all the officials and agencies of state government, and enforcing consumer protection laws for the benefit of all South Dakota citizens.

Disability Rights South Dakota is a private non-profit with the mission to protect and advocate for the rights of South Dakotans with disabilities through legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies. Disability Rights South Dakota assists persons of all ages with issues relating to disabilities: Information and referral Abuse, neglect and rights violations based on disability Discrimination based on disability Employment Social Security/SSI/SSDI and how to incorporate benefits into your ability to work Voting Persons with disabilities, parents, guardians, attorneys, professionals and others concerned about the rights of persons with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Rights South Dakota. Corporate office is in Pierre and field offices are in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Call ahead for Sioux Falls and Rapid City as there may or may not be staff in-office.

Assists individuals with civil legal problems only - no criminal matters. A criminal case is where the state has charged someone with a crime. A civil case is a dispute between parties. East River Legal Services (ERLS) provides the following services in civil cases: Advocacy Legal Counseling Self-Help Services (Clinics/Workshops/Informational Forms) In-Depth Legal Representation Community Education Housing Retention Specialist Case priorities include support for the family, preserving housing, maintaining economic stability, safety, health, and populations with special vulnerabilities. ERLS provides services to low-income residents with legal issues in the following areas of law: Domestic Violence Victims Elder Law Housing Public Entitlements (i.e. Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF, WIC) Social Security/SSI Disability Veterans There is no guaranteed acceptance of any case. The above examples also do not necessarily disqualify cases outside of these parameters. Cases ERLS does NOT assist with include: criminal, business, or immigration. Services Disclaimer: ERLS's ability to provide legal assistance is subject to change based on availability of staff/volunteers. ERLS reserves the right to deny or limit services based on program resources and priorities.

Free civil legal services are available for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who need immigration assistance. Services include help with: - VAWA (Violence Against Women) petitions - U Visas - T Visas (nonimmigrant or undocumented and trafficking) Funding is very limited so services are not guaranteed.

Disability Rights South Dakota is a private non-profit with the mission to protect and advocate for the rights of South Dakotans with disabilities through legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies. Disability Rights South Dakota assists persons of all ages with issues relating to disabilities: Information and referral Abuse, neglect and rights violations based on disability Discrimination based on disability Employment Social Security/SSI/SSDI and how to incorporate benefits into your ability to work Voting Persons with disabilities, parents, guardians, attorneys, professionals and others concerned about the rights of persons with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Rights South Dakota. Corporate office is in Pierre and field offices are in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Call ahead for Sioux Falls and Rapid City as there may or may not be staff in-office.

Advocating for individuals attempting to obtain disability benefits through Social Security Administration programs.

​Dakota Plains Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization funded by Congress through the National Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal assistance to eligible persons residing in the service area. Also can help with wills (for possessions), living wills (for medical issues), power of attorney paperwork. Serves both Native American/Indian (with a specific program) and non-Indian individuals.

​Dakota Plains Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization funded by Congress through the National Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal assistance to eligible persons residing in the service area. Also can help with wills (for possessions), living wills (for medical issues), power of attorney paperwork. Serves both Native American/Indian (with a specific program) and non-Indian individuals.

A website geared toward self-represented litigants (people who are representing themselves in court). The website has several helpful categories including Online forms - Fill out legal forms online or obtain instruction on how to properly prepare documentation for court. Legal help - Find information on how to get legal help, including resources available for low or no cost legal aid. Protection orders - What to expect when petitioning the court for a protection order. Links to victim advocate organizations. Military and Veterans - Legal resources for past and present military members. Veterans Project information. Parenting - Help for parenting and other divorce/separation needs. Mediation - All you need to know about mediation. Links to various community agencies and resources. Guide and File - a process that permits self-represented litigants to create and complete forms for starting court actions. Involuntary Commitment information. Record Searches - how to obtain a record search report for the public court cases an individual has statewide.

Assists individuals with civil legal problems related to a disaster. Services may include help with FEMA support, such as applications/appeals or identifying and gathering relevant documentation; help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc.; drafting of new wills, powers of attorney and other legal papers lost in the disaster; assistance with home repair contracts and contractors; counseling and advice about landlord/tenant matters; and help with consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures.

East River Legal Services (ERLS) Veterans Hotline assists veterans who are homeless or experiencing homelessness. The Hotline can help with legal questions that do not have to be related to housing. The Hotline can also help to complete an application for services over the phone.

Assists individuals with civil legal problems related to a disaster. Services may include help with FEMA support, such as applications/appeals or identifying and gathering relevant documentation; help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc.; drafting of new wills, powers of attorney and other legal papers lost in the disaster; assistance with home repair contracts and contractors; counseling and advice about landlord/tenant matters; and help with consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures.

​Dakota Plains Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization funded by Congress through the National Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal assistance to eligible persons residing in the service area. Also can help with wills (for possessions), living wills (for medical issues), power of attorney paperwork. Serves both Native American/Indian (with a specific program) and non-Indian individuals.

​Dakota Plains Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization funded by Congress through the National Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal assistance to eligible persons residing in the service area. Also can help with wills (for possessions), living wills (for medical issues), power of attorney paperwork. Serves both Native American/Indian (with a specific program) and non-Indian individuals.

Assists individuals with civil legal problems related to a disaster. Services may include help with FEMA support, such as applications/appeals or identifying and gathering relevant documentation; help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc.; drafting of new wills, powers of attorney and other legal papers lost in the disaster; assistance with home repair contracts and contractors; counseling and advice about landlord/tenant matters; and help with consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures.

​Dakota Plains Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization funded by Congress through the National Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal assistance to eligible persons residing in the service area. Also can help with wills (for possessions), living wills (for medical issues), power of attorney paperwork. Serves both Native American/Indian (with a specific program) and non-Indian individuals.

Disability Rights South Dakota is a private non-profit with the mission to protect and advocate for the rights of South Dakotans with disabilities through legal, administrative and other appropriate remedies. Disability Rights South Dakota assists persons of all ages with issues relating to disabilities: Information and referral Abuse, neglect and rights violations based on disability Discrimination based on disability Employment Social Security/SSI/SSDI and how to incorporate benefits into your ability to work Voting Persons with disabilities, parents, guardians, attorneys, professionals and others concerned about the rights of persons with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Rights South Dakota. Corporate office is in Pierre and field offices are in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Call ahead for Sioux Falls and Rapid City as there may or may not be staff in-office.

Provides legal services to tribal members charged with criminal offenses. Represents respondents in matters involving juvenile delinquency, involuntary commitment, abuse and neglect, and guardian Ad Litem cases.

​South Dakotans can get free legal advice from experienced lawyers when the State Bar of South Dakota sponsors the annual Ask-A-Lawyer program Each call is handled anonymously by experienced attorney volunteers. Last year Ask-A-Lawyer answered 785 calls from East River to West River South Dakota, ranging from family issues to contracts, wills, real estate, and more. The calls are not intended to be an in-depth analysis of the caller's legal concerns, but to answer general legal questions and, if appropriate, refer the caller to specific lawyer referral services or a government agency.

​Dakota Plains Legal Services is a private, non-profit organization funded by Congress through the National Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal assistance to eligible persons residing in the service area. Also can help with wills (for possessions), living wills (for medical issues), power of attorney paperwork. Serves both Native American/Indian (with a specific program) and non-Indian individuals.

A secure website where lower income South Dakota residents can ask an attorney for specific questions regarding their civil (non-criminal) legal issues. The website is a partnership between Access to Justice and the American Bar Association.

Assists individuals with civil legal problems related to a disaster. Services may include help with FEMA support, such as applications/appeals or identifying and gathering relevant documentation; help with insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc.; drafting of new wills, powers of attorney and other legal papers lost in the disaster; assistance with home repair contracts and contractors; counseling and advice about landlord/tenant matters; and help with consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures.