If you have experienced a civil rights or civil liberties violation in Vermont, please review our guidelines regarding the kinds of cases we take and submit a legal assistance request if appropriate. Below, you will find additional legal resources as well as links to direct service organizations in Vermont that can help you navigate specific situations.
Legal Assistance
Although we may not be able to take your case, the following organizations may be able to help:
- Vermont Legal Aid, for help finding and requesting legal assistance
- Vermont Defender General's Office, for help finding a public defender if charged with a criminal offense (income-eligibility requirements)
- Vermont Federal Defender's Office, for help finding a public defender if charged with a federal criminal offense (income-eligibility requirements)
- Vermont Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service, for help finding a local attorney if you do not qualify for a public defender
Know Your Rights
The ACLU maintains informational guides to help you understand your rights in different situations and for people with certain identities or life circumstances. For instance, we have information about your rights when you are stopped by police or stopped by Border Patrol as well as guides to students' rights in schools, your right to protest, and rights of people with disabilities.
Direct Service Providers in Vermont
If you are facing challenges in accessing food, shelter, or other basic necessities:
- Call 211 or visit the Vermont 211 Community Resource Directory for help finding and accessing shelter and housing support, crisis hotlines, financial assistance, food programs, and more.
- Consult this list of Vermont housing assistance organizations to find a housing support program or shelter near you
- Contact an Agency of Human Services Field Service Director in your community to get connected to a range of different support services
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can call the statewide hotline provided by the Vermont Network at 800-228-7395 or connect with a local domestic violence organization through the Vermont Network's website.