Detroit Resources
Under Detroit's Right to Counsel ordinance, tenants facing eviction in the 36th District Court with household income up to twice the federal poverty level can get a free lawyer through the city's partner legal aid offices.
Detroit's Right to Counsel program is run by the City's Office of Eviction Defense inside the Law Department. It guarantees free legal representation to lower-income tenants facing eviction, delivered by local legal services organizations working with the city.
Tenants with a lawyer are far more likely to stay housed or leave on better terms. If you have an eviction hearing coming up, this program is the most direct path to free representation.
Go to your hearing on the date in your notice and tell the judge you want to speak with a free lawyer. For in-person hearings, staff check eligibility in Room 417 at the courthouse; for virtual hearings, you join a breakout room to meet a lawyer. You can also apply ahead through LAD's intake.
Only for tenant households with an eviction case in Detroit's 36th District Court and gross income up to twice the federal poverty level; it does not cover other housing disputes or owners.
How to reach them
Detroit Housing Resource helpline (housing help; listed on the program page)
(313) 967-5800Legal Aid and Defender Association intake, one of the Right to Counsel providers
detroitmi.gov36th District Court, 421 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226, Room 417 (eligibility screening on your hearing day)
← Back to all Detroit resourcesNeed a lawyer instead? A real person at Marko Law answers 24/7.
(313) 777-7777At Marko Law, we don’t just take cases. we take a stand. Whether you're facing an injury, injustice, or outright negligence, our team fights like it’s personal, because to you, it is.
Ready to make your voice heard?
We’re not here to play games. We’re here to win.