Indigent Law and Legal Definition
The term indigent is used to refer a person who lacks food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty. It also means a person who has insufficient property to maintain himself/herself and to others who depend upon him/her a basic standard of living.
In University of Utah Hosp. & Medical Ctr. v. Bethke, 101 Idaho 245 (Idaho 1980),the court observed that the term "indigent" is not expressly defined in statute, but is ordinarily understood to mean being poor usually without being destitute; it is also understood as being impoverished or needy. Further in Powers v. Canyon County, 108 Idaho 967 (Idaho 1985), the court observed that "Indigent" means any person who is destitute of property and unable to provide for the necessities of life.
The following is an example of a state statute defining the term indigent :
According to Idaho Code § 31-3220 (1) (d) "indigent" means a person who is not a prisoner, and who is found by the court to be unable to pay fees, costs or give security for the purpose of prepayment of fees, costs or security in a civil action.
