We are not authorized to take on new clients until we have first been assigned to a particular case by a judge. The only narrow exceptions to this rule are that we represent any person being arraigned at the Nassau County District Court following arrest where that person is otherwise without counsel at the time of arraignment, and we are authorized to provide basic legal counsel and limited representation in certain pre-arrest situations (e.g., when we are contacted by a person whom the police are actively seeking to arrest or question regarding some alleged criminal activity). Aside from these two exceptions, all other persons charged with a crime but unable to afford a private attorney must first alert the court to their need. The court will then make a determination as to that person's eligibility for assigned counsel. If and when the court decides counsel should be assigned, an attorney from our office, or in some cases other assigned counsel known as an 18-B attorney, will be notified of that assignment, and representation can commence. A similar process takes place in the Family Court for non-criminal cases.