Criminal cases

If you've been charged with a criminal offence, legal aid can help with the costs of legal advice from a solicitor or representation at court.

Criminal legal aid is usually granted if:

• you're likely to go to prison if convicted
• you're likely to lose your job if convicted
• you can't follow what's happening in the trial because of a mental or physical disability or English isn't your first language
• you're being kept in custody until a trial
• you want to appeal against a decision a criminal court made about you
• you've been charged with a serious offence on petition under solemn procedure (this means it's likely there will be a trial with a jury)

You'll also have to show that you can't afford to pay your legal costs yourself, or that paying them would be unfair to you or your family.

Your solicitor (or a duty solicitor if you're in custody) can tell you it's likely you'll get help with legal costs, what you need to pay and how to apply.