Criminal Legal Aid
If you’ve been charged with an offence but can’t afford a lawyer, your legal fees may be paid through criminal legal aid. Legal aid covers your lawyer’s fees and all other fees and expenses of your court case. But you may have to pay some of it back.
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Young People and Criminal Legal Aid
At what age can I get criminal legal aid?
If you can’t afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you no matter how old you are.
- If you’re under 17 you’ll be dealt with in the Youth Court, and you’ll automatically be provided with a free lawyer called a "Youth Advocate". You won’t be able to choose the lawyer who’ll be your Youth Advocate. Unlike legal aid, there is no financial means test.
- If you’re 17 or older you’ll be dealt with in the District Court (the adult courts) and you can apply for legal aid.
Are my parents’ finances taken into account?
The Legal Services Agency can take into account any support (like food or accommodation) that your parents or anyone else regularly gives you, no matter how old you are.
