Note that each resource has a specific area of focus and may not be able to offer assistance.

Office of Police Complaints

The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) provides a variety of ways to file a police misconduct complaint.  A completed, signed complaint form must be received by OPC within 45 days of the date of the incident. For information on what types of complaints OPC investigates, download the agency brochure at www.policecomplaints.dc.gov.

Complaint forms can be obtained by any of the methods below: 

·         Online at www.policecomplaints.dc.gov

·         In person at OPC's office located at 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 700

·         By phone at 202-727-3838, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 

·         Calling OPC's 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 866-588-0569

·         At any Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) district station [MPD will forward the complaint to OPC]

Complaint forms can be submitted:

·         In person or by mail to the address above

·         By fax to (202) 727-9182

·         By dropping forms off at any MPD district station

Lawyer referrals

D.C. Lawyer Referral Service - (202) 296-7845

The Bar Association of D.C. Lawyer Referral Service will, for a small fee, provide the names of attorneys who work on cases like yours. Those attorneys may not be free but may review your case at a reduced rate and have helpful advice about your options.. 

Legal help for people with low income

Neighborhood Legal Services Program - (202) 832-6577

Legal Aid Society of DC - (202) 628-1161

Archdiocesan Legal Network of Catholic Charities - (202) 628-4263

Advice and Referral Clinic (D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program) - (202) 737-4700

Bread for the City (Legal Program) – by appointment only

            NW Legal Clinic: (202) 480-8950 (Mon – Thurs,  9 am – 5 pm)

SE Legal Clinic: (202) 791-3982 (Mon – Thurs, 9 am – 5 pm)

The DC Volunteer Lawyers Project - (202) 885-5542


 

Law school clinics

American University Washington College of Law - (202) 274-4140

George Washington University Law School - Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics  - (202) 994-7463

Georgetown University Law Center  - (202) 662-9862 (by referral only)

Howard University Law School - (202) 806-8082

Catholic University Columbus School of Law – (202) 319-6788

UDC David A. Clarke School of Law - (202) 274-5073

D.C. Law Students in Court - (202) 638-4798


 

General Information About DC Law

LawHelp

Information on ten areas of law: consumer, family law, public benefits, life and estate planning/guardianship, tax, employment, housing, immigration/asylum, law of nonprofit organizations and small business law.

D.C. Code

D.C. Register

HALT - (202) 887-8255

Nolo

D.C. Bar Legal Information Help Line - (202) 626-3499


 

Employment (Discrimination)

Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, EEO Project - (202) 319-1000

D.C. Office of Human Rights  - (202) 727-4559

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Washington EEOC Field Office - (202) 419-0700 

Toll-free – (800) 669-4000

 
Other sources of legal help
If your issue is outside the realm of civil liberties, consider these other legal resources. Note that each resource has a specific area of focus and may not be able to offer assistance.
D.C. Lawyer Referral Service
(202) 296-7845
Find a lawyer in DC who can advise you about your claim. Charges a $39.95 referral fee collected over the telephone at the first call. Then the attorney the caller is referred to will also charge but no more than $40 for the initial consultation
Legal help for people with low income
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
(202) 269-5100
Legal Aid Society of DC
(202) 628-1161
Archdiocesan Legal Network of Catholic Charities
(202) 628-4263
Advice and Referral Clinic (D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program)
(202) 737-4700
Bread for the City (Legal Program)
(202) 265-2400
The DC Volunteer Lawyers Project
(202) 885-5542
Law school clinics
American University Washington College of Law
(202) 274-4140
George Washington University Law School - Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics (202) 994-7463
Georgetown University Law Center
(202) 662-9100
Howard University Law School
(202) 806-8082
Catholic University Columbus School of Law
(202) 319-6788
UDC David A. Clarke School of Law
(202) 274-5073
D.C. Law Students in Court
(202) 638-4798
General Information About DC Law
LawHelp
Information on ten areas of law: consumer, family law, public benefits, life and estate planning/guardianship, tax, employment, housing, immigration/asylum, law of nonprofit organizations and small business law.
D.C. Code
D.C. Register
HALT (202) 887-8255
Nolo
D.C. Bar Legal Information Help Line (202) 626-3499
Employment (Discrimination)
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, EEO Project (202) 319-1000
Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services (202) 939-7627
Archdiocesan Legal Network
(202) 628-4263
Complaints about an employer in D.C.
D.C. Office of Human Rights (202) 727-4559
Complaints about employers anywhere
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Washington EEOC Field Office
(202) 419-0700