Massachusetts Access to Justice
The Massachusetts Access to Justice initiative works to provide equal access to the court system for the public, including self-represented litigants, those with limited or no English proficiency, and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. A great place to start for information, legal aid, and community resources to help you solve your problem.
The Massachusetts Access to Justice initiative works to provide equal access to the court system for the public, including self-represented litigants, those with limited or no English proficiency, and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. A great place to start for information, legal aid, and community resources to help you solve your problem.
Legal Research
- Hampshire Law Library
- https://www.mass.gov/locations/hampshire-law-library
99 Main St., Courthouse, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-2297
The law library is open to everyone. The Hampshire Law Library is on the ground level 1st floor of the old historic courthouse. The doors are locked; please check in at the Hampshire Superior/Northampton District Court located 15 Gothic Street and you will be escorted over to the library after being screened by security. - Massachusetts General Laws
- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws
General Laws are Session Laws or sections of Session Laws that are permanent in nature and of general application. - Massachusetts Session Laws
- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws
Each bill that becomes law is given a chapter number based on the chronological order in which it was adopted. These chapters are called Session Laws and are compiled on an annual basis. - Northampton, MA Charter and Ordinances
- https://ecode360.com/NO2226?needHash=true
Includes The Charter and Related Acts, Administrative Code, and Code of Ordinances.
Legal Help
- Lawyer Referral Service – Hampshire County Bar Association
- https://hampshirebar.org/lawyer-referral-service/
(413) 586-8729 - Lawyer Referral Service – Massachusetts Bar Association
- https://www.masslawhelp.com/
(866) 627-7577 - Massachusetts Court Service Centers
- https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-court-service-centersCourt Service Centers help people navigate the Massachusetts court system. Centers are available to all court users without attorneys and there are no income or immigration status requirements. All of the services in the Court Service Centers are free.
- Center for Public Representation
- https://centerforpublicrep.org/
The Center for Public Representation is an advocacy organization that provides legal services to people with disabilities. They are dedicated to enforcing and expanding the rights of people with disabilities and others who are in segregated settings. - Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime
- https://massclavc.org/
Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime offers free legal help to crime victims who live or have a civil legal problem in Massachusetts, such as needing a divorce or child support, getting credit fixed, a housing eviction, or problems getting disability or other public benefits. Community Legal Aid is the regional CLAVC program serving Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties. - Community Legal Aid
- https://www.communitylegal.org/
Community Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA also provides free civil legal assistance to victims of crime and survivors of homicide victims. - Disability Law Center
- https://www.dlc-ma.org/
The Disability Law Center is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities.