Except for the following three kinds of cases where a lawyer is required for defense, there is no mandatory requirement for other cases:
1, where the suspect or defendant is a minor;
2, where the suspect or defendant is blind, deaf, mute, or mentally ill;
3, where the suspect or defendant is likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
In a criminal incidental civil case, the victim's side has the right to demand civil compensation, in order to be able to maximize the rights and interests of the victim, you need to hire a lawyer to participate. If the financial conditions do not allow, you can apply for legal aid from the legal aid center in your region.
Criminal prosecution cases are prosecuted by the prosecutor's office. Victims generally do not need to hire a lawyer to defend themselves. But the victim side, if you feel the need to hire a lawyer to defend their rights, you can also hire their own lawyer, the court generally will not arrange, and the victim side to hire a lawyer is generally in the criminal case of the civil part of the rights of the parties.
Legal basis
"The Chinese people*** and the state criminal procedure law"
Article 35 The criminal suspect, the accused due to economic difficulties or other reasons did not entrust the defender, he and his close relatives can apply to the legal aid institution. Where the conditions for legal aid are met, the legal aid institution shall assign a lawyer to provide a defense for him. Where a criminal suspect or defendant is blind, deaf or mute, or is a mental patient who has not yet completely lost the ability to recognize or control his or her own actions, and has not appointed a defender, the people's court, the people's procuratorate and the public security organ shall notify the legal aid institution to assign a lawyer to provide for his or her defense. Where a criminal suspect or defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty and has not appointed a defender, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organ shall notify the legal aid institution to assign a lawyer to provide for his or her defense. Article 36 Legal aid organizations may station duty lawyers in people's courts, detention centers and other places. Where a criminal suspect or defendant has not appointed a defender, and the legal aid agency has not assigned a lawyer to provide a defense for him or her, the lawyer on duty shall provide the criminal suspect or defendant with legal counseling, advice on procedural choices, applications for changes in compulsory measures, and opinions on the handling of the case, as well as other legal assistance. The people's court, the people's procuratorate, the detention center shall inform the criminal suspect, the defendant has the right to meet with the duty lawyer, and for the criminal suspect, the defendant to meet with the duty lawyer to provide facilities.