Vermont Legal Resources - Help with Your Civil (Non-criminal) Legal Issues

Resources available to Vermonters who are dealing with civil (non-criminal) legal issues. 

How does this guide work? It provides resources that may help with your specific problem. 

These resources include:

• Government agencies, non-profits, and public service organizations that specialize in your problem area.
• Links to websites that may help explain how to deal with your problem. 
• Information on ways to obtain help from an attorney. 

How to use this guide? 

• Find the tab on the left side of the page that says "Legal Resources by Subject Matter" - Click on that tab. 
• Then scroll down and locate the subject matter that best describes your problem.  For example, your landlord refuses to fix your heat and its been 10 degrees all week.  Click on the Housing - Landlord/Tenant tab to find helpful resources. 

Some legal resources are available only in certain geographic areas of the state, and this is noted where it is applicable. 

Need more help ?  Contact the Community Legal Information Center (CLIC) at (802) 831-1313 or clic@vermontlaw.edu. 

The Community Legal Information Center is here to help you do your legal research. Librarians are not permitted to give legal advice, but we can provide you with information or help you find resources that that will help you answer your legal questions. Legal issues can be complex, sometimes the best resource is finding professional legal help. 

Please note:  Every attempt is made to keep this information up-to date, but things change!

If you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns, please send a message to the CLIC Coordinator at clic@vermontlaw.edu.

"Civil legal matters usually relate to private property rights and involve settling disputes between private individuals."  (Gerald N. Hill & Kathleen Thompson Hill, editors, Nolo's Plain English Law Dictionary 70, CLIC KF156.N654 2009)  A person can be an individual or a business.  Civil legal matters include employment, probate, divorce, and landlord/tenant issues among many others included in this guide. 

A criminal matter is not a civil matter. "Criminal issues involve an action by a prosecutor employed by the federal, state or local government that charges a person with the commission of a crime.  Crimes are actions that have been defined by the state as deserving punishment, usually imprisonment.  Crimes and their punishments are defined by Congress and state legislatures."  (Gerald N. Hill & Kathleen Thompson Hill, editors, Nolo's Plain English Law Dictionary 107, 108, CLIC KF156.N654 2009)

• Burlington - 264 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.  Ph. 1 (802) 863-5620 (Walk-in hours:  Mon. to Thurs, 9am-3:30pm.)
• Montpelier - 56 College Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. Ph. 1 (802) 223-6377 (Appointment only.)
• Rutland - 1085 Rte. 4, East, Unit 1A, Rutland, VT 05701. Ph. 1 (802) 775-0021 (Walk-in hours:  Mon. to Thurs., 10am to 2pm.)
• Springfield - 56 Main St., Suite 301, Springfield, VT 05156. Ph. 1 (802) 885-5181 (Walk-in hours:  Mon, Wed. & Fri, 9:30am to 4:30pm)
• St. Johnsbury - 177 Western Ave., Suite 1, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.  Ph. 1 (802) 424-4701 (Appointment only.)

Note:  Walk-in hours are included above, but are subject to change. It is best to call ahead to check if days and times of service have changed.

• Community Restorative Justice Center in St. Johnsbury -  serves Caledonia only.   Call (802) 748-2977.
• South Royalton Legal Clinic - Depending upon the matter serves Orange, Windsor, and Washington counties, and statewide on Immigration and veterans matters. Call (802) 831-1500 or email srlc@vermontlaw.edu.  Geographic limitations are noted under the specific civil matter.