Difference between revisions of "Governing Legislation and Resources for Criminal Law (1:II)"
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== 1. Legal Aid == | == 1. Legal Aid == | ||
Legal Aid BC is the only source of criminal legal aid in British Columbia. Legal Aid’s purpose is to provide free representation for financially eligible accused persons (low-income individuals), who are charged with certain offences. Legal Aid BC will provide a retainer to a lawyer chosen by the eligible client in private practice who will provide legal assistance on a contract basis. Legal Aid BC will also assist the eligible applicant in finding a lawyer if needed. | |||
A wide range of booklets and pamphlets covering various legal problems and legal rights are also available from LSS offices. This material is free. | A wide range of booklets and pamphlets covering various legal problems and legal rights are also available from LSS offices. This material is free. | ||
The client should be advised to contact Legal Aid directly at (604) 408-2172. See Chapter 23: Referrals, or the blue pages of the phone book, for more information. | The client should be advised to contact Legal Aid BC directly at (604) 408-2172. See Chapter 23: Referrals, or the blue pages of the phone book, for more information. | ||
=== a) Financial eligibility === | === a) Financial eligibility === | ||
Legal Aid BC will grant a letter of referral to applicants who meet the Society’s financial eligibility requirements. These can be found at http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/doIQualifyRepresentation.php. | |||
There is some flexibility in the requirements, subject to the discretion of the person assessing the application. Clients will be required to fill out a means test indicating income, expenses, education, and employment history. | There is some flexibility in the requirements, subject to the discretion of the person assessing the application. Clients will be required to fill out a means test indicating income, expenses, education, and employment history. | ||
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=== c) Reviewing a decision === | === c) Reviewing a decision === | ||
An accused who has been rejected can have the decision reviewed where circumstances warrant it. Requests for reviews must be in writing, must set out the reasons for disagreeing with the decision, and must include copies of supporting documentation. | An accused who has been rejected can have the decision reviewed where circumstances warrant it. Requests for reviews must be in writing, must set out the reasons for disagreeing with the decision, and must include copies of supporting documentation. Legal Aid BC does not consider any requests received 30 or more days from the date of the intake legal assistant’s decision. | ||
== 2. Vancouver Lawyer Referral Service == | == 2. Vancouver Lawyer Referral Service == | ||