LEGAL AID CRIMINAL LAWYERS IN SHELLHARBOUR

Legal Aid offers cost-free or reduced-cost legal services to individuals who cannot afford private representation. It applies to a range of legal matters, including criminal charges, family disputes, tenancy issues, and more. The service is designed to help eligible individuals access legal representation and court assistance when needed.

Eligibility depends on two assessments: a means test and a merits test. The means test evaluates your financial circumstances, while the merits test looks at whether your case has reasonable grounds and whether it involves serious consequences, such as the risk of a prison sentence.

At our firm, we can apply on your behalf and assist in meeting the criteria. Legal Aid is generally available for matters where there is a realistic chance of incarceration. The merits test may also consider:

• Whether your case has reasonable prospects of success
• The seriousness of potential outcomes if aid is not granted
• Whether the case is important enough to justify funding

This test reviews your income, property, and other financial assets. The purpose is to determine whether you can afford legal fees without assistance or whether a contribution is required. If your finances fall below the prescribed thresholds, you may qualify for full funding.

The merits test examines whether there are legal grounds to run the case and whether Legal Aid should be granted based on the facts. For criminal charges in the Local Court, Legal Aid usually applies if you are at risk of a custodial sentence. Minor matters that are unlikely to result in jail time may not be covered unless exceptional factors are present.

Yes. You can lodge an application directly with Legal Aid. However, working with a lawyer may improve your chances of success. We can help you prepare the necessary documents, understand the assessment process, and submit a strong application from the outset.

Approval times vary. On average, it may take between three to six weeks to receive a decision. Urgent matters may be prioritised, but this will require communication with the Legal Aid Grants team and proper documentation to support your request.

To apply for Legal Aid, you will need to provide current financial records. This includes recent pay slips, Centrelink payment summaries, or tax returns. You will also be asked to submit bank statements for all your accounts covering the past three months.

The application form requires you to include personal and financial information, along with details about the legal matter. Supporting documents such as a court attendance notice and the police facts sheet are also necessary. Depending on your situation, you may wish to attach other records such as medical reports or correspondence that support your application.

If you are unsure about the paperwork or how to compile your application, our team can step in and assist with the process. We aim to help you prepare a complete submission that meets Legal Aid’s requirements.