State-funded legal aid in criminal cases
High-level criminal law assistance
If you need assistance in criminal proceedings but do not have sufficient financial means, you can request the legal assistance of Studio Penale Bellavista (subject to verification that the requirements for access to State-funded legal aid are met).
A correct assessment of the requirements is the first step towards obtaining the legal protection provided for by law.
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STUDIO PENALE BELLAVISTA
Studio Penale Bellavista, with its team of lawyers throughout Italy and offices in Palermo, Rome and Milan, is available to provide legal assistance under State-funded legal aid.
Italian State-funded legal aid (commonly known as gratuito patrocinio) allows people who meet certain financial requirements to be assisted by a lawyer without directly bearing the costs of their defence in criminal proceedings. The legal costs are in fact paid by the State.
It is a fundamental instrument for making the right of defence effective and for allowing those in financial difficulty to face criminal proceedings with adequate legal assistance.
Are you in one of these situations?
You are under investigation or a defendant in criminal proceedings.
You have received a notice or a summons and want to understand how to defend yourself.
You are the injured party and want to know whether you can obtain legal assistance.
You want to join the proceedings as a civil claimant but are afraid you cannot afford the costs.
You have a low income and want to know whether you fall within the limits set by law.
You need help to file the application for admission correctly.
In all these cases, you should immediately check whether the conditions for access to State-funded legal aid are met and request the legal assistance of Studio Penale Bellavista.
What legal aid is in criminal proceedings
Who can apply for it
State-funded legal aid is governed by Presidential Decree no. 115 of 2002 and allows those who meet the requirements to obtain free legal assistance in criminal proceedings. The State covers the lawyer’s fees, the court costs connected with the defence and any further costs necessary for the conduct of the proceedings.
The benefit can be applied for at any stage and level of the proceedings, from the investigation through to any appeal before the Court of Cassation.
In criminal proceedings, State-funded legal aid may be applied for by:
• persons under investigation and defendants;
• convicted persons;
• injured parties;
• persons harmed by the offence who intend to join the proceedings as civil claimants;
• civil defendants joined in the proceedings.
What to do now
- Check your position in the criminal proceedings.
- Check the relevant personal or household income.
- Gather the documents needed for the application.
- Check immediately whether there are any bars to admission or special circumstances.
- Request assistance in preparing the application correctly.
Income requirements for access to the benefit
To be admitted to State-funded legal aid, the applicant must have an annual taxable income, calculated as set out in the ISEE income statement and shown in the most recent tax return, of no more than EUR 13,659.64.
If the applicant lives with a spouse or other family members, the relevant income is the sum of the incomes of all members of the household, including the applicant. In this case, the limit is increased by EUR 1,032.91 for each family member living in the household.
The relevant income is that shown in the most recent tax return or, failing that, the income actually received and capable of being documented.
How we can help you
The Studio Penale Bellavista assists clients not only in court but also in verifying the admission requirements, in preparing and filing the application and in conducting the defence in the criminal proceedings.
This means being supported by a team of experienced lawyers and facing the process with greater clarity and appropriate legal support from the very first stages.
The aim is to help you understand quickly:
- Whether you can access the benefit
- Which documents are needed
- How to file the application correctly
- What defence strategy to adopt in the proceedings.
Why choose Studio Penale Bellavista?