The Justice Bus is a mobile legal office and technology hotspot that allows DPLS staff to travel to and provide civil legal services at no cost to clients.

1. Applicants/clients have the opportunity to speak with an attorney about their legal matter in a confidential space.

2. The attorney will listen to the applicant or client, determine what next steps make sense for their situation, and provide guidance on what they can do next. The attorney may also print out forms that could be helpful to the client, if needed.

3. Attorney will give counsel and advice to qualifying applicants. Level of legal assistance beyond counsel and advice will be determined by various factors. 

Most commonly, we assist low-income individuals with a range of civil legal issues including family law; housing; wills and probate; public benefits.

1. Assist clients with criminal matters;

2. Assist clients who already have an attorney;

3. Provide brief advice to someone who is not the client (examples can include social workers, family members who came on behalf of someone else, therapists, school counselors, etc);

4. Provide legal advice via social media, or by email

The Justice Bus is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. However, we do have income guidelines and primarily provide services to low-income individuals, elderly, veterans, victims of domestic violence and underserved South Dakotans.

Please check our calendar to see if the Justice Bus will be at an event or location near you.

If the Justice Bus will not be scheduled near you prior to when you need assistance, please visit www.sdlawhelp.org to apply for services.