There are two non-profit agencies in Franklin County that offer free civil (non-criminal) legal aid to financially eligible residents of Franklin and Fulton counties.
Franklin County Legal Services provides legal representation, advice and education focusing on areas that are of special importance to low-income individuals and families. Those areas include domestic relations, housing preservation, income security, consumer protection, civil rights and civil liberties, and immigration. FCLS also works with private attorneys who donate their time and expertise to qualifying clients.
FCLS is located at:
Franklin County Legal Services
336 Lincoln Way East, Suite B
Chambersburg, PA 17201
The phone number is 717-262-2326
MidPenn Legal Services provides representation for such emergencies as loss of income, shelter and medical care in 18 Pennsylvania counties. MidPenn also can provide legal information and advice to many families to help them evaluate legal problems. The agency conducts family law clinics on custody and divorce; teaches low-income people about their legal rights and responsibilities; and works with private attorneys who donate their time and expertise to qualifying clients.
MidPenn is located at:
MidPenn Legal Services
230 Lincoln Way East, Suite A
Chambersburg, PA 17201
The phone number is 717-264-5354
The Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service is the attorney referral service for Franklin County and 45 other counties in the commonwealth. Attorneys participate in this service on a voluntary basis and indicate the areas of law in which they will accept referrals.
There is no charge for contacting the service. Participating attorneys agree to grant a Lawyer Referral Service client an initial consultation of up to one half-hour for a fee of $30.
The service operates 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information or a referral, contact the PBA Lawyer Referral Service at 800-692-7375 (toll free in Pennsylvania) or 717-238-6807. The mailing address is P.O. Box 186, Harrisburg, PA 17108-0186.
Please see below for a list of links to websites with legal aid, legal information, forms, and Court information.
Franklin County Legal Services – fcls.net
MidPenn Legal Services – midpenn.org
PA Law Help – palawhelp.org PALawHelp.org has information on civil legal issues.
Representing Yourself – pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself The judicial system of Pennsylvania embraces the idea that access to the Courts is a fundamental right of all Pennsylvanians. Through its long history, the judicial system in Pennsylvania has been, and continues to be, committed to dispensing justice for all Pennsylvanians. Some litigants, for any number of reasons, may find it necessary to represent themselves pro se before the Court.
PA Courts Forms – pacourts.us/forms The Unified Judicial System provides forms for citizens, the judiciary and law enforcement.
PA Code Search – pacode.com The Pennsylvania Code is an official publication of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It contains regulations and other documents filed with the Legislative Reference Bureau under the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1102, 1201—1208 and 1602) and 45 Pa.C.S. Chapters 5, 7 and 9, known as the Commonwealth Documents Law (CDL). It consists of 55 titles.
PA Statutes – legis.state.pa.us
Franklin County, PA Court Information – franklincountypa.gov