The term “indigent” is a legal term used to describe a person who is in need of financial help from a government program such as welfare or social security. In general, a person will qualify as “indigent if their income or assets are insufficient to meet their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.
According to the U.S. legal system, an individual is unable to afford an attorney if they can show that their income is below a certain threshold, or if they cannot finance the costs of a lawyer and related legal expenses, such as filing fees, court costs, and court fines. The threshold for legal indigence is subject to change depending on state laws and the jurisdiction the person is in.
The concept of a ‘legal indigent’ is not a modern one. Historically, there have been different models of expressing financial aid for legal issues. In early American history, the “Poor Man’s Court” was a system of providing legal help to those who could not afford it. There were also private organizations that provided legal aid, such as the Legal Aid Society, which began in the 1920s.
Today legal indigence is still addressed in many states. For example, in California, the State Bar has an Indigent Defense Certification process that allows lawyers to be given aid in order to help lower-income clients who cannot afford their fees. In other states, there are government programs that provide legal aid to those in need.
The concept of legal indigence is important for our society and our legal system. It is a necessary part of ensuring that all individuals have access to justice, regardless of their circumstances, so that everyone in our society can make sure their rights are properly pursued and protected.