ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR (FREE) LEGAL AID?

MACKESYSCRIME offers LEGAL AID to all Clients who are eligible.

Due to financial constraints, most forms of legal aid in criminal defence
cases are now MEANS TESTED.

FREE LEGAL AID is still available:

For ALL Clients at POLICE STATION.

For all Clients aged 18 & under at YOUTH COURT and Magistrates Court

You can check your financial eligibility on the Legal Services Commission wedbsite:

http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/criminal/getting_legal_aid/eligibility_calculator.asp

MAGISTRATES COURT:

From April 2010, Clients with cases at the Magistrates Court have to pass two
tests:

1. Interests on Justice: is the case serious enough to justify legal aid, for example, is there a risk of a prison sentence or community penalty if Client pleads or is found guilty of the offence?  Could there be a threat to the Client's good character or loss of employment?  Does the Client have a defence to the allegation, such as self defence or mistaken identity?

Mackesyscrime solicitors will help you with the test.

2. Means Test: If you are on a passported Benefit, such as income support, JSA, ESA or pension, all we need is your national insurance number for you to qualify.
The Court has direct access to the DWP computer so can confirm quickly if you
are on benefits.  Some times this may not be clear and we will then ask you to
provide a letter from the DWP, or if payment is made into your bank account, your bank statement.

If you are (and/or your partner) working, the court requires your last wage slip and evidence of out goings such as rent/mortgage (if more than £500 per month), Council tax and any maintenance payments.  Also, if you have children they will be taken into account in calculating your disposable income.

Again, we will help you with the evidence required.

If you are self employed - the application process can be complicated.

CROWN COURT:

Since June 2010, all Crown Court cases are means tested.

Technically, everyone will get Legal Aid for the Crown Court, particularly if you are on Benefits.

However, if you work or are self employed, legal aid could be subject to a contribution from income and should you be found guilty, from savings and equity in your property, with the first £30,000 exempt.

The application is processed at the Magistrates Court.  Again evidence of income and certain outgoings are used to calculate your 'disposable' income.

The court then calculates 90% of your disposable income, they then divide this by 12 to work out your monthly contribution - you make this contribution over 5 payments (or 6 months).

PRIVATE FUNDING:

Sometimes the contribution could prove prohibitive.  Mackesyscrime are often
instructed privately to defend clients as our costs are often lower.  We work on the basis of fixed fees for specific parts of the preparation of the case.

Always check with us if we can make a saving for you.

MOTORING OFFENCES:

Legal aid is generally NOT available for motoring offences save for dangerous
driving and some drink drive offences. For example, if the Client has previous for drink driving, or is found drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.  There may be a technical error in the way the test was carried out or the client may have a medical problem that prevented them from giving a breath test.

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION:

Fears about having to pay should never be a reason for not seeking advice.

WE OFFER A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION - GIVE US A CALL

YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE!!!

CALL US NOW -  FREE from landline 0800 696 999 or FREECALL from mobile 0330 440 2345