Voluntary Legal Services of Northern California

Office Information

Name: Voluntary Legal Services of Northern California
Address: 501 12th Street, Sacramento, CA - 95814
Phone: (916) 551-2102
Fax: (916) 551-2120

Service Information

The Voluntary Legal Services Program of Northern California provides legal services to eligible low income clients who live in the counties of Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, El Dorado and Placer.

VLSPs legal services range from referrals to volunteer attorneys for direct representation to assistance of self-represented parties at our legal clinics. VLSP serves clients at three main locations in Sacramento County.

VLSP is a volunteer-based "pro bono" legal aid program that provides free assistance with civil legal matters to low income clients living in the Sacramento region. Since 1981, through the generous help of thousands of volunteers from the Sacramento area legal community, VLSP has been providing assistance to clients.


Cases They Take On:

Family law, guardianship/conservatorship/probate, employment law, debt collection and estate planning.


Must call office to make an appointment.

Park: E Street parking. 2 hour limit. No cost.

Areas Served
El Dorado County
Placer County
Sacramento County
San Joaquin County
Yolo County



Mission Statement: To secure access to justice for people of limited means through the use of volunteers providing pro bono assistance, and educating clients to create greater knowledge and self-sufficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Aid

  • What is legal aid?

Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Legal aid organizations provide a variety of legal services, including advice, representation, and advocacy, to help low-income people resolve their civil legal problems.

  • Who is eligible for legal aid?

Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the organization. Generally, legal aid organizations serve people with incomes below a certain level, as determined by the federal poverty guidelines. Some legal aid organizations also have additional eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status or immigration status.

  • What kind of cases does legal aid handle?

Legal aid organizations handle a wide range of civil legal problems, including:

  1. * Housing
  2. * Education
  3. * Employment
  4. * Family law
  5. * Immigration
  6. * Public benefits
  7. * Consumer law
  8. * Health care
  9. * Disability rights
  • How do I get legal aid?

To get legal aid, you can contact your local legal aid organization or a state or national legal aid hotline. Legal aid organizations typically have intake interviews to determine eligibility and assess the need for legal assistance.

  • Is legal aid free?

Legal aid is generally free for eligible clients. However, some legal aid organizations may charge for certain services, such as filing fees or expert witness fees.

  • What if I don’t qualify for legal aid?

If you do not qualify for legal aid, there are other options available to you, such as pro bono lawyers or legal self-help resources. Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income people. Legal self-help resources can provide you with information and tools to help you represent yourself in court.

Here are some additional frequently asked questions about legal aid:

  • What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?

Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to people with civil legal problems. Public defenders provide free legal assistance to people who are accused of crimes.

  • Can I get legal aid for a criminal case?

No, legal aid organizations do not provide legal assistance for criminal cases. Criminal cases are handled by public defenders.

  • How can I find a legal aid organization near me?

You can find a legal aid organization near you by visiting the website of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the national organization that funds legal aid programs. The LSC website has a directory of legal aid organizations by state and county.