If you’re a responsible parent, you’re legally entitled to half of your children’s time regardless of how much money you have. But if you can’t afford a lawyer, it’s like you’re being punished for your income. Lawyers can get quite expensive, but you don’t want to take any chances and you need all the help you can get.
However, these monetary matters can cause potential problems later on down the road when it comes to successfully completing probation and sometimes even beyond the conclusion of probation.
Upon request, a judge may also waive the cost of probation or allow for probation to do so. Trying to get this done up front (when you plea or are sentenced) is the best way to address this.
When being sentenced by a judge in a criminal case, often fines and fees are the last things on a defendant's mind. However, these monetary matters can cause potential problems later on down the road when it comes to successfully completing probation and sometimes even beyond the conclusion of probation.
When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.
Generally, you will be eligible if your income does not exceed 125% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. In some counties and in some cases, domestic violence and elderly clients may not be subject to the income guidelines.
for the public goodThe term "pro bono," which is short for pro bono publico, is a Latin term that means "for the public good." Although the term is used in different contexts to mean “the offering of free services,” it has a very specific meaning to those in the legal profession.
If you have a civil legal problem but cannot afford to hire a private lawyer, you still may have access to the legal system through your local legal services-legal aid organization which provides free or low cost legal services to persons with low incomes.
Applications are usually processed within 25 working days. If we agree a case is urgent, we will prioritise it and make a decision within 10 working days. You can tell us the case is urgent on the ECF1 form and in the e-mail.
A lawyer who works pro bono does not get paid for the commitment on the case. To cover the loss of income, lawyers often cover the pro bono cases through charges to paying clients. Others work on a “no win, no fee” basis. They only get paid if they win the case.
The purpose of pro bono work is to give access to justice and legal education to those who lack the means to do so themselves. But in helping others, students invariably find out more about themselves. Pro bono work allows you to become empowered and shows you what you are good at.
something for somethingLatin for "something for something." An exchange of acts or things of approximately equal value.