The system of free legal aid informs that children who are victims of criminal offences need proper representation and protection of their interests in court. Minors are entitled to free legal aid.
To receive such services, you need to contact the nearest Legal Aid Bureau in your city. The bureau will help you write an application for free secondary legal aid for your child, i.e. for the appointment of a lawyer. The services of a lawyer are paid for from the State Budget of Ukraine.
Why is this necessary?
When a child becomes a victim in criminal proceedings, it is important that his or her interests are protected during the investigation. The accused in criminal proceedings always have a lawyer.
To appoint a lawyer, you need to submit the following documents:
– the child’s birth certificate;
– an extract from the Unified State Register of Pre-trial Investigations, which states that the child is a victim in criminal proceedings;
– if you are not the child’s parents (adoptive parents), a document confirming your authority as a legal representative.
Examples of assistance:
Over UAH 200,000 in compensation for moral and material damage was recovered in favour of a minor victim
Maria is a minor victim of sexual violence. The perpetrator was punished.
Mariia suffered physical and emotional pain. In addition, the situation became public among her fellow villagers and at school. As a result, she has experienced even more stress and is in a depressed state”, – says the girl’s mother.
To recover moral and material damage from the offender, Maria’s mother turned to the FLA system on behalf of her daughter.
Children have the right to free legal aid when applying to court. Therefore, a lawyer of the firm was authorised to represent them.
The lawyer examined the circumstances of the case and prepared a statement of claim for the court. In substantiating the claim, the specialist noted that the defendant had committed a crime against the girl, was found guilty of a criminal offence by a court and sentenced to 13 years in prison. The application was accompanied by an extract from the girl’s medical records and receipts confirming the costs of treatment.
The court upheld the claim in full and ordered the defendant to pay UAH 200,000 in non-pecuniary and UAH 3,000 in pecuniary damages.