By Bernice Woods, Managing Attorney | January 30, 2026

On March 25, 2022, a 33-year-old African American man — let’s call him Cody — was arrested for peacefully protesting in downtown Minneapolis to bring awareness to the inhumane jail practices that exist in Minnesota jails. Alongside other protestors with fists raised, signs up, and a bullhorn, Cody protested until the sun went down. Eventually, the protest grew and the police were called. Officers attempted to break up the protest, telling the demonstrators to disperse and go home. Protestors shouted. Officers shouted. And then, Cody was arrested and charged with Obstructing Legal Process — the beginning of a long legal ordeal.  

After his arrest, Cody went through the intake and pre-trial services process. On the questions, “Are you employed?” Cody checked the “Y” box; he was employed as a food cashier making $19,500 a year. Based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), as a single person, Cody made too much money to get government assistance and was not eligible for public defender services. But Cody didn’t make enough to hire a private criminal defense attorney, either.

“Through our client-centered, direct representation, our clients, their lives, and their stories will be humanized instead of criminalized.”  

In other words, Cody was stuck in the gap of making too much yet making too little, so his only option was to advocate for himself. He represented himself and eventually ended up pleading guilty to the charge. Going forward, Cody would have to acknowledge the conviction when applying for housing, applying for jobs, seeking educational assistance, and more. The question is: Would the end result have been different if he had an attorney representing him?  

Falling Through the Cracks 

Numerous people are in the same situation: Falling through the cracks and experiencing collateral consequences from their criminal case simply because they do not have an attorney. That’s why, on Friday, January 30, 2026, Minnesota Freedom Fund launched the “Free the People Legal Advocacy Program.” One arm of this program includes criminal defense services. This service was built to address the gap for people who make too much to qualify for public defense services yet make too little to hire a private attorney.  

The other arm of the program provides immigration services for those who are representing themselves and are seeking legal assistance with their DACA Renewal, Asylum, and Naturalization cases. Like our criminal defense program, our immigration services are built to offer legal advice to clients who cannot afford to hire private counsel but still need legal advice. 

Clients are always at the forefront of our work and community members, like Cody, are stronger when attorneys are present, active, and advocating on their behalf. Through our client-centered, direct representation, our clients, their lives, and their stories will be humanized instead of criminalized.  

Program Details 

MFF’s Free the People Legal Advocacy Criminal Defense and Immigration Programs address systemic issues through direct and client-centered legal advocacy. Currently, too many people are falling through the cracks in the system. MFF’s Free the People Legal Advocacy Program will provide services to fill those cracks. 

In the first year, the criminal defense side of the Legal Advocacy Program will assist Hennepin and Ramsey County residents in need of criminal defense legal representation. MFF will provide pro bono legal representation in five cases that have a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or low-level felony offense. The program will accept clients who meet the eligibility requirements on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

For the immigration services side, the program will assist all Minnesota residents. Each month, MFF will provide pro bono limited, legal services by helping five clients who are representing themselves draft their applications. After the application is completed, the client would represent themselves in court or obtain immigration counsel for additional help.  

Community members who want to apply to the program can do so here. Based on community needs and demand, MFF will look to expand its legal services in coming years.