Groups eligible for free legal aid.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham, from Vinh Loc ward, asks: Who are the eligible recipients of free legal aid according to the law?
Reply:
According to the Law on Legal Aid, free legal aid is provided to particularly vulnerable groups in society to ensure their right to access justice and equality before the law.
Specifically, those eligible for free legal aid include people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution; people from impoverished households; children; ethnic minorities living in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions; accused persons aged 16 to under 18; accused persons from near-poor households; as well as those facing financial difficulties in certain special cases such as parents, spouses, or children of martyrs or those who raised martyrs when they were young; victims of Agent Orange; the elderly; people with disabilities; victims aged 16 to under 18 who are victims in criminal cases; victims of domestic violence; victims of human trafficking as defined by the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking; and people infected with HIV.
The purpose of free legal aid is to help all citizens, especially those facing economic or social difficulties or special circumstances, access justice conveniently. It is an important tool for protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, while also contributing to maintaining fairness and transparency in the legal system. Providing free legal services reduces financial and legal literacy barriers, thereby improving the effectiveness of law enforcement and promoting equality before the law in society.
