VLA and CLCs Flashcards
1
Q
How does VLA provide free information to accused and victims?
A
- General information about legal principles, rights and court processes
- Accessed via website, brochures and fact-sheets, Legal Help phone-line or Legal Help Chat
2
Q
How does VLA provide free advice to accused?
A
- Tailored advice about specific cases available to eligible accused who satisfy income test
- Advice = discuss options, make recommendations, assist in drafting letters
- Priority groups include children, FNP, disability, limited English
3
Q
How does VLA provide free advice to victims?
A
- Victims Service Helpline (in partnership with CLCs)
- Advice about accessing the Financial Assistance Scheme or applying for restitution and compensation orders
4
Q
How does VLA provide grants of legal assistance to accused?
A
- Legal assistance = ongoing case management and court representation
- Means test = income, expenses and assets
- Merits test = seriousness of charge + benefit to accused and/or public
5
Q
How does VLA provide grants of legal assistance to victims?
A
- Legal assistance = ongoing case management and court representation
- Limited to intervention orders
- State reasonable test = benefit to victim and/or public
6
Q
How does VLA provide duty lawyer services to accused?
A
- Duty lawyer = rostered at Magistrates Court to assist with hearings occurring that same day
- General information for all accused
- Specific advice for eligible accused who pass income test
- Representation for eligible accused who face significant charge or belong to priority group
7
Q
How does VLA provide duty lawyers to victims?
A
- General information for all victims about intervention orders
- Specific advice and representation about intervention orders limited to priority groups
8
Q
What is the difference between a generalist and specialist CLC?
A
- Generalist = targets particular geographical location and services broad range of matters (e.g. Fitzroy Legal Service)
- Specialist = targets specific area of law or a particular group of people (e.g. YouthLaw = under 25)
9
Q
How do CLCs provide free information to accused and victims?
A
- General information about legal principles, rights and court processes
- Accessed via website, phone lines or drop-in clinics
- e.g. Fitzroy Legal Service produced ‘The Law Handbook’ to educate about criminal matters such as fines
- e.g. Dijarra provides information about child protection and family violence for First Nations women
10
Q
How do CLCs provide free advice to accused and victims?
A
- Advice = discuss options, make recommendations, assist in drafting letters and forms and applying for VLA grants
- Access via phone or drop-in sessions with no appointment needed
- e.g. Whittlesea Community Legal Center provides advice at their coffee van for people in the area
- e.g. YouthLaw has helpline for victims
11
Q
How do CLCs provide free legal representation to accused?
A
- Some CLCs provide ongoing casework and representation
- Often not for indictable offences
- Each CLC has own eligibility criteria
12
Q
How do CLCs provide duty lawyers for victims?
A
- Duty lawyer = rostered at Magistrates Court to assist with intervention order hearings occurring that same day
- e.g. Women’s Legal Service Victoria at Melbourne Magistrates Court
