Criminal Defense + Expungement

The Legal Rights Center’s staff of attorneys and Community Advocates provide high quality, culturally-specific legal representation to youth and adults free of charge. Our cases range from misdemeanor traffic infractions to first-degree murder, and our controlled caseloads allow our attorneys to dedicate their efforts to each client.

The Community Defense Program is specifically focused on offering criminal defense representation for youth and adult community members in Hennepin County criminal or juvenile court. Our attorneys and Community Advocates also offer legal advice regarding potential criminal charges or criminal records problems. This includes expungement consultation and support.

Case Selection Guidelines

The Legal Rights Center will not accept a case when the client can afford a private attorney. Otherwise, the Legal Rights Center reserves the right to accept or decline a case for any reason. We have limited resources and must allocate them efficiently for the greater good. 

Income Guidelines

Our general standard is household income that is less than 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for felonies and 125% for misdemeanors. We inquire about and consider additional factors that could make private attorney representation unaffordable to a particular client.

Preferred Cases

• Youth and first time adult offenders
• Cases which present issues affecting the quality of justice for people of color
• Cases in which the Legal Rights Center’s involvement is likely to positively impact the client’s future
• Cases impacting constitutional rights

Cases LRC is Unlikely to Accept

• Cases likely to inflame ill within or between communities
• Cases for which the client already has paid representation
• Cases which are charged outside of Hennepin County
• Requests made too close to a trial date for us to adequately prepare
• Cases in which the defendant’s criminal history suggests LRC’s involvement is not likely to positively impact the client’s future