Indigent Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Indigent.

Indigent (noun/adjective)

1. An individual who lacks sufficient income or financial resources to comfortably meet the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing. This term is often used to refer to persons living in poverty.

2. In a legal context, it identifies a defendant who does not have the financial means to hire a lawyer or attorney to represent them in court. In such cases, the court provides a government-provided attorney to try the case.