legal aid society

legal aid society
legal aid society n: an organization providing government-funded legal aid to the poor

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. . 1996.

legal aid society
n.
   an organization formed to assist persons who have limited or no financial means but need legal help, usually sponsored by the local bar association's donations, sometimes with some local governmental financial support. Such societies examine the assets and income of the applicant, decide if the person has a legitimate need for legal services, give counselling, provide mediation, prepare simple documents, and if absolutely necessary give free legal assistance from a panel of volunteer attorneys. Originally most prevalent in larger cities, legal aid societies exist throughout the country. They do not usually provide assistance in criminal cases because indigent defendants are constitutionally entitled to representation by a public defender or appointed private counsel paid by the government. Some societies provide referral services to help a person find a suitable attorney, but normally referral is made by the local bar association.
   See also: pro bono

Law dictionary. . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Legal Aid Society — The Legal Aid Society in New York City is the United States oldest and largest provider of legal services to the indigent. It operates both traditional civil and criminal law cases.Founded in 1876, the Society provides a full range of civil legal …   Wikipedia

  • legal aid society — noun or legal aid association : an organization affording counsel and representation in court to litigants unable to pay a lawyer * * * an organization providing free legal guidance and service to persons who cannot afford a lawyer. Also called… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Legal Aid Society of Cleveland — The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is a legal aid society in Cleveland, Ohio established in 1905. It helped pioneer a nationwide legal aid movement whose leaders held to a simple but profound principle: that rich and poor alike are entitled to… …   Wikipedia

  • Legal Aid Society of Louisville — The Legal Aid Society of Louisville is a non profit Legal Aid organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. It serves Jefferson County (Louisville Metro) and the fourteen surrounding counties of Breckinridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, LaRue …   Wikipedia

  • Legal Aid Society of Orange County — Infobox Non profit Non profit name = Legal Aid Society of Orange County Non profit Non profit type = Legal Services founded date = November 6, 1958 location = Santa Ana, California area served = Low Income and Elderly product = Legal Services num …   Wikipedia

  • legal aid society — an organization providing free legal guidance and service to persons who cannot afford a lawyer. Also called legal aid association. [1885 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • legal aid — free legal service to persons unable to pay for a lawyer. [1885 90] * * * noun [noncount] : money provided by a special organization to pay legal fees for people who cannot pay them themselves * * * ˌlegal ˈaid [legal aid] noun uncountable money… …   Useful english dictionary

  • legal aid association — noun see legal aid society …   Useful english dictionary

  • Legal Services Society — The Legal Services Society (LSS) is the legal aid provider in British Columbia, Canada. Its mission is to provide innovative and collaborative legal aid services that enable people with low incomes to effectively address their issues within the… …   Wikipedia

  • Legal Aid Ontario — (LAO) Agency overview Formed 1998 Preceding agency Ontario Legal Aid Plan (OLAP) Jurisdiction On …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”