I got stopped by my house and invoked my rights. I said I do not consent to searches. They searched me anyways and found a mountain of First Defense cards. They let me go.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BEING HELD BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT CALL 1-800-529-7374
(1-800-LAW-REP4) FOR A FREE LAWYER, 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.
SI LA POLICÍA de CHICAGO DETIENE USTED O ALGUIEN QUE CONOCE, LLAME 1(800) 529-7374
INMEDIAMENTE PARA OBTENER UN ABOGADO GRATIS, 24 HORAS AL DIA, 365 DIAS AL AÑO.
(1-800-LAW-REP4) FOR A FREE LAWYER, 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.
SI LA POLICÍA de CHICAGO DETIENE USTED O ALGUIEN QUE CONOCE, LLAME 1(800) 529-7374
INMEDIAMENTE PARA OBTENER UN ABOGADO GRATIS, 24 HORAS AL DIA, 365 DIAS AL AÑO.
Calling all Illinois attorneys, senior law students, and FDLA supporters to #Give48
Click HERE to give your time
Click HERE to donate $
Help fill the 48 hr gap with legal representation for Chicago arrestees!
Level the playing field
Prevent Wrongful Convictions
First Defense Legal Aid provides free, 24-hour legal representation to people in Chicago Police custody and educates Chicagoans about how to protect their constitutional rights. We undertake these activities to promote fairness and accountability in the justice system.
What the community has to say…
I’m a social worker and this Hotline has been crucial for myself and my mentees. First Defense lawyers taught me that the only way to out think police, because you can’t out talk them, is to say “I want my lawyer” and wait until First Defense gets there.
Max Cerda
Social Worker
Hotline lawyers, and law students in some instances, are willing to get up in the middle of the night and go to police stations to help people assert their rights. It’s really about equality for People of Color and poor people.
Randolph Stone
Founder and Clinical Professor, University of Chicago Law School
I think any attorney, anyone who’s been through law school would know how important early access to counsel in a criminal case is. That only 302 people had a lawyer go to the police station in a year is pretty shocking.
Gregory A. McConnell
Probono Counsel, Winston & Strawn LLPStatistics
FDLA is the only way people in Chicago Police custody can access free legal representation and we are reachable 24/7! You can contact FDLA at anytime.
* Actual reported number of arrestees who had a lawyer present while in Chicago police custody in 2013 is 0.2%.
Partner in Justice Monthly Giving Campaign
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1(800) LAW-REP-4 is the only way people in Chicago police custody might access their right to counsel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year, free of charge. Help sustain this 100% unique service by enrolling as a Partner in Justice at $7, $24, or $52. With your commitment, monthly donations are automatically withdrawn for one year. Thank you!
First Defense is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.