New Brazilian Law Proposal Mandates Free Legal Assistance for Vulnerable Victims
A new legislative proposal in Brazil seeks to ensure mandatory and comprehensive legal assistance for vulnerable victims of violence, addressing current gaps in victim support.
- • Deputy Soraya Santos proposed a law to provide mandatory legal assistance to vulnerable victims.
- • The law aims to offer free, effective legal support and prevent re-victimization.
- • Public institutions must not deny or delay assistance, and judges ensure legal support during proceedings.
- • The Brazilian Bar Association will maintain a registry of specially trained lawyers to assist victims.
Key details
Deputy Soraya Santos (PL-RJ) has introduced Project Law 6415/25 to establish a National Policy for Mandatory Legal Assistance to Victims in Vulnerable Situations in Brazil. The law aims to guarantee comprehensive, free, and effective legal support to victims of violence including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Key objectives include providing clear, up-to-date information about investigations and legal processes, preventing institutional re-victimization, respecting victims’ wishes, and delivering prompt, unbiased legal action.
Legal assistance under this policy will cover both judicial and extrajudicial actions, along with referrals to psychosocial, health, and social support services. The proposal mandates that public institutions cannot deny or delay legal aid and requires judges to ensure adequate legal support during court proceedings involving victims. If immediate legal assistance cannot be provided, proceedings must be postponed by at least 48 hours unless there is a justified urgency.
In addition, the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) will create a registry of lawyers trained to assist victims of violence, with funding provided by public budgets, private partnerships, and international cooperation. Santos emphasized the current imbalance in the justice system, noting that while the accused have guaranteed legal representation, victims often lack sufficient guidance or support in legal processes. The project will now be analyzed by multiple congressional committees before being voted on by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to become law.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
