[ricree]

It's worth noting, though, that many forms of actual "free" legal advice still come with serious professional obligations on the part of the lawyer. Pro-bono work, public defenders, contingency basis, etc are free to some extent, but nonetheless create a client relationship that is at least nominally as serious as one that is paid for.

There is a reason that lawyers online are very quick to point out that they are not opening up such a relationship.

[jsjohnst]

Public defenders are most definitely not free (in the US anyway), you just don't have to pay up front and are guaranteed to you even if it's obvious you have no ability to repay.