LEGAI AID: REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Legal aid is an important institution of our legal system and is governed by precise rules that set limits and conditions. Let's find out what are the necessary requirements to access free legal aid.
WHAT IS THE FREE PATRONAGE
When it comes to legal aid, it refers to legal defense against the State, reserved for citizens who fall within certain limits of family or personal income. It was established to ensure that even people without income or with a very low income could take advantage of legal assistance during a court proceeding. Citizens who can benefit from legal aid, in fact, receive free legal assistance from a lawyer qualified to practice legal aid. Legal aid can be requested for all types of legal proceedings: civil, criminal, administrative and tax litigation. REQUIREMENTS Anyone with an annual income of € 11,369.24 or less can apply for legal aid. The income of the entire family unit must be taken into consideration, unless it is a judicial proceeding concerning the rights of the individual. In this case, in fact, the income to be considered is only that of the person involved in the proceeding. In the case of a criminal proceeding, the income limit of € 11,369.24 has increased by € 1,032.91 for each member of the family unit (even if they are individuals who do not receive any income). It is necessary to remember that, should the economic conditions of the interested party change over time and exceed the income limit, the legal aid can be revoked. The revocation can take place even when the change in income takes place in the course of judgment.
THE METHODS FOR REQUESTING FREE PATRONAGE
If the citizen falls within the limits of income established by the law, he can access free legal aid by submitting a specific application form. In the case of a civil trial, the petition can be submitted directly by the applicant or by the defense lawyer, and must be forwarded to the Bar Association of the city where the proceedings take place. If instead of a criminal trial, the application must be presented to the magistrate's office responsible for the ongoing process.
