Resources

 The Pro Se Legal Assistance Program (the “ Hofstra Program”) is a free service offered by Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law, and is staffed by members of the law school, including an attorney, a law professor, and law students. The Hofstra Program is not part of, nor run by, the United States District Court. The Hofstra Program staff work for Hofstra University.

The Hofstra Program provides free information, advice, and limited scope legal assistance to non-incarcerated pro se litigants who have filed, or intend to file, a civil case in the Central Islip Eastern District of New York federal court. The Hofstra Program seeks to enhance access to justice and improve the litigation process for litigants and the Court by helping pro se litigants navigate the court system.

Representing yourself in federal court—whether in a civil or criminal case—is a daunting challenge. Fortunately, there are several free resources available to help you better understand federal court procedure, draft filings, and access case law. Below is a guide to some of the most useful tools and services.

• Representing Yourself in Federal District Court: A Handbook for Pro Se Litigants - Created by the Access to Justice Task Force, this handbook explains federal court procedures, rules for filing, and basic courtroom expectations. [Download Handbook](https://www.ded.uscourts.gov/sites/ded/files/Pro%20Se%20Handbook.pdf)

• Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Project (SDNY & EDNY) - Free, limited-scope legal services for self-represented litigants in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. [Learn more](https://www.citybarjusticecenter.org/projects/federal-pro-se-legal-assistance-project/)
 

• NDNY Pro Se Assistance Program - Free help with drafting pleadings for civil actions in the Northern District of New York. [Learn more](https://ndnyfcba.org/about-us/pro-se-assistance-program/)
 

• Federal Pro Se Clinic (CDCA) - Assistance with civil procedures and documents in the Central District of California. [Learn more](https://publiccounsel.org/services/federal-court/)
 

• District of Connecticut Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Program - Brief legal counseling and claim evaluation. [Learn more](https://law.qu.edu/academics/clinics-and-externships/federal-pro-se-legal-assistance-program/)

• PACER / CM/ECF - Official system for filing and accessing federal case documents. [PACER](https://pacer.uscourts.gov/)
 

• CourtListener - Free access to millions of federal court opinions. [CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/)
 

• RECAP Archive - Free repository of PACER filings. [RECAP](https://free.law/recap/)
 

• Additional research tools: [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en&as_sdt=0,33), [Justia](https://law.justia.com/), [FindLaw](https://caselaw.findlaw.com/)

• Public Law Libraries provide free access to case reporters, statutes, practice guides, and form books. [Learn more](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_law_libraries_in_the_United_States)

• Many federal courts employ pro se law clerks or staff who can explain procedural rules and filing requirements. They cannot give legal advice but can connect litigants with resources. [U.S. Courts – Representing Yourself](https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/representing-yourself-federal-court)