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Indigent
A person who lives in extreme poverty and who is unable to afford the most basic essentials, such as shelter, food, and clothing. In the legal system, an indigent individual is one who cannot afford the costs of legal representation required to face the charges brought against him or her. In such circumstances, a legal representative is appointed by the state to represent the defendant in court. Landmark cases that established the need for appointed representation include Powell v. Alabama (1932) in capital cases and Gideon v. Wainwright (1961) for all felony cases. For more information, see Gideon v. Wainwright (1961) and Powell v. Alabama (1932).
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