Documents Required And How To Proceed In Criminal Matters
In criminal cases no documents are requested to make a person eligible for the service. A person may ask the Police, the Magistrate or Judge presiding the case, or come to our offices, to request to be assisted by a legal aid lawyer.
Legal Aid Request When Held For Interrogation And/Or Under Arrest
A person called by the Police for interrogation or held under arrest has the right to be assisted by the legal aid lawyer on the daily roster. This person may request the police officer that is interrogating him/her or that has arrested him/her to be assisted by a legal aid lawyer. The legal aid lawyer who initially advised the person while being interrogated and/or when under arrest will continue to assist and represent the accused when brought to Court.
Appealing From A Judgement
A person who wants to use legal aid in order to appeal from a judgement of the Court of Magistrates, must immediately on that same day informs the assigned Legal Aid Lawyer. The assigned Legal Aid Lawyer will assess whether there are grounds for appeal. If there are sufficient grounds, the appeal needs to be submitted to the Criminal Court Registry within twelve working days from date of judgement. No means test is undertaken.
A person who has been sentenced by the Court of Magistrates and had the judgment appealed by the prosecution may also be assisted by legal aid. The person must request the presiding judge to be assisted with a legal aid lawyer or else refer to our offices to direct the client accordingly.
