Get free or low-cost legal help (Legal Aid)
Arrested or charged and can’t afford a lawyer? Legal Aid can give you one.
✓ Links tested 13 Nov 2026 · Facts checked 24 Oct 2026
Legal Aid Council offices
Opens the official government site.
Who can do this
People held by police, arrested or charged who can’t afford a lawyer. Anyone can get free legal advice. Some minor and drug offences are not normally covered.
What you need
Tick things off as you gather them.
Steps
- If someone is held at a police station, call Legal Aid at once. The person held can also ask police to call a duty lawyer. No form is needed for this.
- If charged, get the application form from a Legal Aid office and fill it in.
- Legal Aid checks your income to see if you qualify.
- If you qualify, you are given a lawyer for your case.
- If any lawyer asks for more money than Legal Aid told you, report it.
Cost
The duty lawyer at the police station is free. For court, some people pay a small one-time amount. If you can’t pay, you still get a lawyer.
How long
A duty lawyer can help the same day.
Can’t go online?
Legal Aid Council, 6 Oxford Road, Kingston 5: 876-948-6999. Montego Bay, 42B Union Street: 876-952-2183. Toll free 888-587-8423 (888-JUSTICE).