Legal Aid Defense Counsel System

Legal Services Authorities provide legal services to accused/convicts, who are in custody or otherwise coming within the criteria spelt out in section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Legal Services are being provided at pre-arrest, remand, trial and appellate stages in criminal matters. Legal Representation is being provided by the Legal Services Authorities in approximately 12 lac criminal cases (trials) at the district level. As envisaged, Legal Aid Defense Counsel System involve full time engagement of lawyers with support system. The said unit deals exclusively with legal aid work in criminal matters at the disrict HQ, where it is established.