People who make misleading statements about their finances when seeking legal aid could face up to six months in prison or a fine of €4,000.
This is one of the planned changes to the Criminal Legal Aid scheme announced by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne. They have published the outline of legislation to reform the current system.
The State spent €81.2 million on Criminal Legal Aid last year.
These changes will give the Legal Aid Board more powers to assess the incomes of those seeking legal representation.
The board will be able to decide if someone requesting legal aid is able to pay some of their own legal costs, rather that it being fully covered by the State.
The court will also be able to refer a person to the Legal Aid Board for an assessment of their income if they fail to provide key information.
This legislation is seeking to make the justice system more victim focused.
And it will extend the type of assistance and advice the Legal Aid Board can give to victims.
