Legal Resources

Disability Rights of Maine (DRM) provides protection and advocacy services for eligible people of all ages with developmental disabilities or mental illness, at no cost to the individual. DRM offers direct advocacy assistance, information and referral, and training. 

• DRM online intake form  

Help ME Law is Maine’s legal help resource site that provides information on accessing assistance for a variety of specific legal problems and information about Maine laws, including an extensive online library.  

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only statewide, comprehensive immigration legal aid agency dedicated to education, advocacy, and representation for low-income new Mainers. ILAP assists clients keep their families together, gain protection from persecution and violence, and move toward economic security.  

Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards provides information on Maine’s labor laws, including earned paid leave information, workplace safety and health, child labor laws and child labor rules, substance use testing law, and other labor laws.   

University of Main Law School Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic represents low-income individuals with legal cases in Southern Maine courts.  Clients are represented by law students specially licensed by the State and Federal courts to provide legal services to low-income clients.  

Legal Services for Maine Elders provides persons aged 60 and over with free legal advice regarding health care, health insurance, Medicare (including Part D), MaineCare (Medicaid), Social Security and other public benefits.  

Maine Equal Justice (MEJ) advocates for fair public policies, provides legal representation and partners with diverse low-income communities and agencies through outreach, organizing, and education.   

Maine Lawyer Referral is a program of the Maine State Bar Association, helping Mainers find the right lawyer for their specific situation and needs.  

Pine Tree Legal provides direct legal advocacy to Mainers with low incomes who need help resolving serious civil legal issues. 

• Pine Tree Legal local offices

Maine Volunteer Lawyer Project provides free legal information, assistance, and representation to people with low incomes facing civil legal issues throughout Maine.  

Maine’s Credible Messenger Movement is committed to connect all justice involved youth with safe adults: Young Messengers, Support Mentors, Professional Allies, and Adult Credible Messengers, to address racial disparities. Visit the website for contact information. 

Regional Care Teams work to increase youth access to community services to prevent a secured placement and can assist with funding for a variety of needs. For more information visit their website and this information sheet. 

Youth Advocate Program can provide support and advocacy with justice involved youth in the community.  For local contact information visit this webpage.  

Maine Inside Out activates individuals and communities to imagine and embody freedom through art, advocacy, and support, and transformative justice. Formerly incarcerated people lead their work to build a world where everyone matters and belongs.

Justice System: Intensive Case Managers (ICMs) help individuals navigate transition into the community from incarceration and help to avoid hospitalization by identifying and accessing appropriate levels of care in the community. For further information and questions email ICM.OBH@maine.gov

Justice System: Community Based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) re-entry services: The Office of Behavioral Health cover the cost of medication, drug screen testing, and behavioral therapies for uninsured individuals diagnosed with an opiate use disorder and/or alcohol use disorder who were incarcerated and released. Each community jail has information on how to connect with community services. 

Justice system: Crisis Intervention Team: The Office of Behavioral Health partners with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine to provide behavioral-health crisis intervention training for law enforcement, mental health, and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families and other advocates. Find program information here.

Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety (OPTIONS) program: Options Liaisons partner with local law enforcement and co-respond to overdose events to connect Mainers struggling with opioid use disorder with intensive outreach including medication assisted treatment, recovery supports, and wraparound services, as an alternative to entering the criminal justice system.

Victim Services:  The Department of Corrections provides support for victims of a crime including protection from harassment from the offender and notification of the release of the perpetrator.