Chapter 5: Legal Terminology and Potential Resources

Common municipal codes that criminalize life sustaining behavior for those experiencing homelessness: ● Laws that prohibit sleeping in public areas ● Laws that prohibit camping in public areas ● Laws that prohibit laying or sitting in public spaces ● Laws that prohibit lodging, living or sleeping in a vehicle ● Laws that prohibit loitering/loafing or vagrancy city wide ● Laws that prohibit begging in public places ● Laws that prohibit food sharing in public places

Legal Aid

If you want a lawyer and cannot pay for one, you can ask for free legal help at the closest Legal Services Program or Legal Aid Office. They can be reached at one of the phone numbers below:

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands: 800-238-1443 Legal Aid of East Tennessee: 865-637-0484 West TN Legal Services, Inc.: 731-423-0616 Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.:901-5238822

You might be able to get legal help that does not cost very much through your local Bar Association or Lawyer Referral Service. Potential Resources- National and State Levels NationalHomeless.org SafeLink Wireless Harvest Share Nashville Rescue Mission Park Center- Nashville