ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Legal aid in the United States

Legal aid is when grown-ups who know about the law help other people who need help but can't pay for it. Just like how your mommy and daddy help you with your homework, lawyers help adults solve their problems with the law.

Sometimes bad things happen to people and they need to go to court to fix it. For example, someone might have lost their job unfairly, gotten hurt in a car accident or had problems with their landlord. Going to court can be confusing and scary, especially if you don't have money to pay a lawyer.

That's where legal aid comes in. Legal aid organizations hire lawyers who work for free or a reduced fee to help people who can't afford a regular lawyer. These organizations are paid for by the government, charity organizations, or donations by people who want to help.

But not everyone can get legal aid. You need to apply and meet certain criteria like having a low income or being a victim of domestic violence. Also, not every legal case qualifies for legal aid – some cases are too complex or not covered by legal aid programs.

In summary, Legal aid is a service where lawyers help people who can't afford to pay for legal help. It's a way for people who are having problems to get help to figure out what to do and how to solve them.