What does the word indigent mean in legal terms?
To be legally indigent is to lack the means to pay for all or part of the cost of a legal action. It can apply to civil lawsuits, criminal proceedings, and even divorce proceedings. If you are indigent, you may be eligible for some form of legal aid, which is public assistance.
What does the term indigent mean in the Constitution?
The word “ indigent is one of those terms in the American legal lexicon that has no single, simple definition. In fact, the word has been used differently in different legal situations and by different courts. The word appears in the Constitution to describe those who cannot pay a debt to the state. In this context, an “indigent” is a person who is unable to pay a debt without great difficulty.
What does the word indigent mean in the law?
The term "indigent" refers to an impoverished individual. Someone is considered "indigent" if they lack the ability to pay for or provide for the basic necessities of life. An example of this might be an adult who is living with an illness and is having to use a wheelchair.
What does the word indigent mean in terms of a sentence?
The word "indigent" as it applies to criminal law (and sometimes civil law as will be covered later in this entry) is used to describe someone who is unable to pay for the costs of legal services. This does not automatically mean that the person is guilty of the crime they are charged with. It simply means that the person is unable to afford the legal costs of defending themselves.
What does the term indigent mean in a court of law?
When it comes to criminal cases, the word “indigent” is often used in conjunction with criminal trials. Indigent means poor and unable to pay for legal services. Indigent status can help reduce some of the costs of legal proceedings, such as filing fees or the costs of witnesses. However, people who are considered indigent are still responsible for all the other costs of the trial, such as securing a lawyer and taking legal action.