Legal Aid Representation: Difference between revisions

| service_description = The [[Legal Services Society]] (LSS) provides free legal aid representation (a lawyer to take your case) for financially eligible clients facing some types of [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/criminalLaw.asp criminal], [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/familyIssues.asp serious family problems], [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/childProtection.asp child protection matters], [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/mentalHealthAndPrison.asp mental health and prison issues], or [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/immigrationProblems.asp immigration problems].

:* go to jail,

:* face a conditional sentence that would severely limit your liberty,

:* lose your way of earning a living, or

:* face an immigration proceeding that could lead to deportation from Canada.

:*have a physical condition or disability or a mental or emotional illness that makes it impossible for you to represent yourself,

:*are Aboriginal and the case affects your ability to follow a traditional livelihood of hunting and fishing, or

:*are a youth charged with a federal offence (however if you are in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, you must speak to your social worker to arrange for a lawyer).

| tips = If you self-identify as Aboriginal, you have [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/aboriginal/legalRights.asp Gladue rights] under the ''Criminal Code''. You may also be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing in the [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/aboriginal/firstNationsCourt.asp First Nations Court] in New Westminster.

:*you need an immediate court order to ensure your or your children's safety,

:*to resolve a serious denial of access to your children,

:*when the other parent threatens to remove your children permanently from the province, or  

:*when you have custody of your children and the other parent has access, but he or she has unlawfully held your children and denied you custody.

:* to resolve serious legal issues in high conflict cases,

:*when you have experienced litigation harassment,

:*when you have barriers to self-representation due to emotional abuse, psychological trauma, or mental illness, or

:*when all other efforts to resolve the case have been exhausted and resolving the case will make a significant difference to you or your children.

:* the Ministry of Children and Family Development has taken or has threatened to take child(ren) away,

:* there are custody and access issues related to a child in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Note: Whether any particular case is to be covered by legal aid is ultimately a decision made by LSS.

| 1 || $1,450

| 2 || $2,030

| 3 || $2,600

| 4 || $3,170

| 5 || $3,750

| 6 || $4,330

| 7 or more || $4,920

== Applying for legal aid representation ==

 

 

Note that if you don't qualify for representation, you may still be financially eligible for advice services such as [[Duty Counsel|duty counsel]]. You don't have to be financially eligible to receive [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/legalInformation.asp legal information] from LSS.

 

 

* Website: [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/ legalaid.bc.ca]. To find the address and hours of the legal aid office nearest you, see [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/legalAidOffices.asp Where to find legal aid services].