New York State Unified Court System
Many veterans return to civilian life and find themselves facing personal challenges, including mental health problems or substance use, that are unique to life after military service. Criminal behavior, mental health problems and substance abuse often stem directly from service in combat zones and may be amplified by reentry into civilian life.
There are numerous organizations and agencies that cater to veterans struggling with legal issues whether civil or criminal.
City Bar Justice
Veterans Assistance Project
Phone: (212) 382-4722 or request on-line.
--Veterans Benefit issues
Legal Services NYC
Phone: (917) 661-4500 Hotline
Call Monday-Friday, 10 am – 4 pm.
--Brooklyn Campus: Legal Clinic – 1st Tuesday of every Month
16th floor PRRTP, 8 am to 12 noon.
--LSNYC also assists veterans in a range of civil legal matters including housing, family law, child support, Social Security, VA benefits, healthcare proxy, wills, power of attorney, immigration, employment law. Locations:
BRONX
349 East 149th St. 10th Floor
Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: 718-928-3700
BROOKLYN
105 Court Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-237-5500
MANHATTAN
1 West 125th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 646-442-3100
QUEENS
89-00 Sutphin Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11435
Phone: 347-592-2200
STATEN ISLAND
36 Richmond Terrace, Ste. 205
Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone: 718-233-6480
Veteran Advocacy Project
Phone: (646) 602-5620
40 Rector Street, 9th floor, NY, NY
Email: contact@veteranadvocacy.org
--Discharge upgrades, evictions, and more
Volunteers of Legal Service
www.volsprobono.org - Last Wills and Testaments, Health Care Proxies, Powers of Attorney & other advance directives using volunteer attorneys. To make a referral, either have the veterans fill out the intake form, call:
Contact: Pete Kempner
Phone: 347-521-5504, or give the veteran this number for a phone screening.
Hofstra Veterans Law Clinic
--Provides free representation to low-income Veterans seeking to appeal a denial of VA disability compensation benefits and to Veterans seeking a discharge upgrade. Phone screening
Phone: (516) 463-5934 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, or email Email: LawClinic@Hofstra.edu
New York City Small Claims Court
Anyone 18 years of age or over can sue in Small Claims Court. If you are younger than 18, your parent or guardian may sue on your behalf. Only an individual can sue in Small Claims Court. Corporations, partnerships, associations, or assignees cannot sue in Small Claims Court. However, they can be sued in Small Claims Court.
