Do I Qualify for Free Legal Aid?

There are number of factors involved in determining whether or not you qualify for free legal aid.
Your income level is definitely going to play a role in this decision. Your health is also a deciding factor. Other things like safety, location, and if the issue is criminal or civil in nature will also play a part.
If you do happen to qualify for free legal aid, you may also run into another bump in the road. It’s often difficult to find an agency that can take your case because many of them have limited staff and resources to handle certain issues.
But if you cannot afford a lawyer, and feel that you are a good candidate for legal aid, it’s always worth taking a look.
We’ll now take a look at certain scenarios that could make you a prime candidate for free legal aid.
 Have You Been Accused of Committing a Crime?
If you have been accused of committing a crime, you could qualify for free legal help in the form of a public defender or court-appointed attorney.
In this situation, the court will appoint you a public defender, and this lawyer will represent you at your criminal trial if you can’t afford an attorney on your own.
The US Constitution guarantees everyone the right to legal counsel. So if you are a US citizen, you will at least qualify for a public defender to represent you in court.
 Has the Court Defined You As Needy or Poor?
In certain instances, it’s possible to qualify for free legal aid if you can prove to a judge that you are poor or needy and qualify for indignant representation.
It’s quite possible to have to reimburse the court for some of your legal service expenses at least partially if this type of legal representation is given to you.
Each state has its own specific requirements to qualify for court provided counsel. And to make things even a little more confusing, the various courts within each specific state may also have their own set of rules and requirements.
If you feel that you qualify for indignant representation, let the judge know during your hearing.
And if you’re looking for more information and qualification criteria within your state right now, you can contact the local public defender’s office within your community to find out more information.
 Are You a Disabled Veteran?
 United States veterans that are either physically or mentally disabled might be eligible to receive free legal aid on a wide range of issues. Some possibilities include child visitation matters, rent assistance, criminal charges and more.
To find out if you qualify for this type of legal assistance, your best bet is to learn more about the eligibility requirements by checking in with your local Veterans Association.
When you contact them, you will be able to find out if you or a veteran from your household can receive legal help for free for a number of different specific services.
According to Crisp and Associates, who provide legal aid for veterans, you should, “work with a firm that understands the military justice system” in order to receive the best representation possible.
 Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence victims also potentially qualify for free legal aid.
If you feel that your safety is in jeopardy, there are organizations that can help you file restraining orders, gather evidence of abuse, and more.
To find out more, do yourself a favor and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline to find out if they could potentially help.
 Conclusion
As you can see, many different groups of people qualify for free legal aid. Perform your own personal research to find out if you’ll be eligible for free legal aid based on your situation.