Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Vermont and other civil legal services organizations help people with “civil legal matters.” Civil legal matters are law suits and other legal issues that aren’t about crimes.
For example, civil legal matters include most landlord/tenant and family court issues, bankruptcy, credit cards, unlawful discrimination, Reach Up and SSI benefits cases and similar issues.
On the other hand, Public Defenders and other legal services organizations represent people in criminal cases – when the government has accused a person of committing a crime.
Please note: We won’t defend you in a criminal case or traffic violation. We also can’t represent you in a personal injury case.
Are you a victim of crime?
If you have a legal problem due to being a victim of crime, visit our Legal Help for Victims of Crime page to see how we can help.