Free Legal Aid in Prince George's County, MD
Most people in Prince George's County who need a lawyer but can't afford one have two main options: Community Legal Services of Prince George's County (CLS) and Maryland Legal Aid. Both handle civil cases — not criminal defense — and both serve low-income residents, but they operate differently and cover somewhat different ground. Understanding which one fits your situation can save you a lot of time.
Community Legal Services of Prince George's County (CLS)
CLS is a nonprofit legal services organization that has operated exclusively in Prince George's County since 1985. In most cases they close over 10,000 cases per year, but the number varies based on funding and other factors. CLS is the only pro bono legal services organization in PG County staffing clinics with both attorneys and volunteers, and it is the sole legal services nonprofit in the county that tries to offer same-day representation to tenants at the courthouse as resources allow.
- Who qualifies: CLS serves low-income residents of Prince George's County. Income eligibility follows Maryland Legal Services Corporation guidelines. The Lawyer Referral Program charges a nominal free which is waived for applicants below federal poverty guidelines. There is no fee for clinic services.
- How to apply: Call (240) 391-6370, or apply online at https://www.clspgc.org/. The main office (mailing address: P.O. Box 374, Riverdale, MD 20738) handles intake by phone on weekdays. Services are available in English and Spanish; Language Line is used for other languages.
CLS clinic locations across PG County
CLS operates multiple clinic locations across the county, meaning you don't have to travel to a single central office. The main Greenbelt office (6301 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt) takes appointments by phone.
- The Prince George's County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro hosts a walk-in Family Law Clinic on weekdays for self-represented litigants dealing with family law, domestic violence, guardianship, small claims, and tenant matters.
- The Hyattsville District Court is where CLS runs its Failure to Pay Rent Tenant Representation Program, providing free same-day legal representation to income-eligible tenants facing eviction — this is one of CLS's most impactful current programs and is worth calling about if you have a court date coming up.
- A Domestic Violence Legal Wellness Program operates virtually out of the Family Justice Center in Upper Marlboro.
- A Latino Legal Access clinic meets in Langley Park for Spanish-speaking clients.
- A Jail Civil Law Hotline handles civil legal questions for incarcerated individuals.
CLS also runs an ongoing expungement assistance program. Staff and volunteer attorneys consult one-on-one to evaluate criminal records for expungement eligibility, help prepare petitions, and advise on Maryland's expanded expungement laws, including cannabis-related records. CLS holds expungement clinics periodically at library branches and community sites throughout the county. To find out when the next clinic is or to schedule a consultation, call (240) 391-6370 or the expungement hotline at 1-800-574-0709.
Beyond the clinics, CLS handles civil matters including eviction defense, foreclosure prevention, family law, bankruptcy, consumer rights, workers' rights, guardianship, wills and powers of attorney, and public benefits. CLS also holds community seminars on these topics throughout the year — the calendar is at https://www.clspgc.org/..
Maryland Legal Aid — Prince George's County
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) is a statewide nonprofit law firm with a dedicated office serving PG County, located in Landover. MLA handles a broader range of case types than CLS and has specialized programs for seniors, veterans, farmworkers, domestic violence survivors, and children in abuse and neglect cases. Services are income-based — call to ask whether you qualify before applying.
The PG County office is at 8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Landover. The local number is (301) 560-2101 and the statewide toll-free intake is (888) 215-5316. You can also apply online at https://www.mdlab.org/. MLA covers housing, family law, public benefits, consumer law, criminal record expungements, domestic violence, and veterans' benefits. Holistic legal assistance is available for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse through partnerships including the PG County Family Justice Center.
A note on immigration legal help
Neither CLS nor Maryland Legal Aid focuses on immigration cases. PG County has a large immigrant population — particularly in Langley Park, Hyattsville, and surrounding communities — and We Are CASA (website: https://wearecasa.org/) provides dedicated immigration legal services and representation in the county. Their legal hotline is (866) 765-2272.
Neither organization handles criminal defense. If you're unsure which resource fits your situation, the statewide intake line at (888) 215-5316 can help you sort it out.
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