legal aid certificate lawyers
Law Firm Accepts Legal Aid Certificates
Access to justice is one of Kahane Law’s primary objectives when it comes to Criminal law. Criminal law does not allow you to miss court dates or decide that you don’t want to go to Court. It is not a choice when it comes to Criminal law. Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys the financial ability to hire a lawyer when faced with criminal charges. Navigating the criminal justice system alone can be scary and confusing – especially when you are facing a trial. The legal aid criminal lawyers at Kahane Law are here to help.
In Alberta, if you meet low income thresholds, you may be eligible to receive legal aid by getting a lawyer appointed to you at a discounted rate. Next, they then appoint you a lawyer and they represent you for your legal matter. At Kahane Law, we accept Legal Aid Certificates for Criminal Law matters. You must call legal aid to inquire whether or not you meet their eligibility guidelines.
What Is Legal Aid In Alberta?
Legal Aid Alberta provides legal services such as providing legal aid criminal lawyers for your criminal matter, and providing expertise to individuals and the legal community to support fairness in the justice system. Legal aid is an independent organization that is publicly funded. The three biggest funders of Legal aid are the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, and the Alberta Law Foundation. Legal aid criminal lawyers help those who cannot afford a lawyer, not people who do not want to spend money on a lawyer.
Who Is Eligible For Legal Aid Criminal Lawyers?
All youth matters automatically meet eligibility guidelines to receive legal aid criminal lawyers to represent them in court. Apply directly to Legal Aid if you are under the age of 18-years-old, or if you have a child facing a criminal charge.
Adult matters in criminal law face an assessment based on services needed and financial eligibility. This determination looks at the criminal offence charges involved; and the net family income for the last 30 days and last 12 months, and family size (family includes you, your spouse, and any dependents).
Income means any money you received over the last year. Legal Aid assesses most sources of income that you received. This includes your employment wages (including tips), any support you receive from friends or family, any insurance settlements you received, any lotto winnings, and any proceeds from the sale of an asset. They also take into consideration any support that you pay, and expenses you regularly pay, such as day care.
In addition, with indictable offences under the Criminal Code of Canada may be eligible – it depends on the financial criteria being met. Indictable offences are considered more serious, and usually result in jail time if convicted.
Summary offences under the Criminal Code of Canada are not always proceeded on in a way that will result in a light sentence. Service eligibility for summary offences may be eligible if you are looking at jail time if convicted. Service eligibility for summary offences may also be eligible if you are convicted you lose your potential to earn a living. Another factor that legal aid takes into consideration when assessing you for eligibility, any situation where an individual faces deportation from Canada on conviction.
Alberta Income Thresholds For Financial Help
In order to assist people financially unable to afford criminal lawyers, the income an individual makes requires examining. Legal aid uses income thresholds in assessing whether or not you fall into the financially eligible categories. Financial help categories look at the number of people in a household. For example, people with the following family sizes, must make less than the following amounts:
- 1 person household – $20,021
- 2 people in a household – $24,788
- 3 people in a household – $35,275
- 4 people in a household – $38,134
- 5 people in a household – $40,995
- 6 or more people in a household – $43,855
What Happens If Denied A Certificate?
If you are denied and you still can’t afford to retain a private lawyer, you may be eligible to apply for a court mandated lawyer by submitting to the Court a Rowbotham Application.
If, not eligible for a Court appointed lawyer through the Rowbotham Application process, non-profit organizations exist to help you deal your criminal matter. For example, these organizations include:
- Native Counseling Services (NCS)
- Student Legal Assistance (SLA); and
- Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG).
These non-profits provide free legal advice and free legal representation for certain legal matters if you meet their eligibility requirements. For all inquiries about eligibility contact the organizations directly. Contact NCS at (403) 237-7850. Connect with SLA at (403) 220-6637. Lastly, reach CLG at 403-234-9266. Our criminal lawyers also help individuals, not eligible for a certificate, but still need to hire a lawyer.
Retaining Calgary Legal Aid Criminal Lawyers
Needing legal help often leaves people scared and unsure on what happens next. If you require a legal aid criminal lawyer in Calgary, look no further. Kahane Law Office help people with legal aid certificates. We connect you with one of our criminal lawyers. You then get peace of mind that you are getting the experience that you need. CONNECT NOW. Call us today at 403-225-8810 locally in Calgary, Alberta), or, if it is easier, email us directly here.