Legal Aid Contribitions.

[Pen2011]

I was taken to crown court on 2 criminal charges.
Wounding and the more serious wounding with intent.
I decided to plead guilty to the lower charge but the cps decided to take me to court on the higher charge.
I was then found not guilty in court of this charge.
I had to pay £1000 fees for the guilty plea and I was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for 2 years, and also given 250 hours unpaid work.
I then received a bill for legal aid contributions of over £3000. If I was found not guilty why do I have to pay this? The cps took me to court and lost! I have paid the £1000 costs and completed all unpaid work.

[New Judge]

Firstly, court costs and Legal Aid are two entirely different things.

Court costs are a contribution towards the costs of bringing the proscution. Legal Aid is provided to assist you with the costs of your defence. You need that defence whether you are convicted or not and the CPS is not liable to repay your defence costs - whoever met them - if you are acquitted.

The system for granting Legal Aid in the Crown Court is explained here.

http://www.justice.gov.uk/legal-aid/assess-your-clients-eligibility/crime-eligibility/means-test

The important point to note is this:

"In the Crown Court, if a defendant passes the Interests of Justice test they will automatically be entitled to legal aid.

However, around 1 in 4 defendants have to contribute towards their defence costs. The type of proceedings a defendant is facing in the Crown Court will determine how the means test will be applied."

So it seems likely that you are among the 1 in 4.