Legal basis: "Article 11 of the Regulations on Legal Aid" In criminal proceedings, a citizen may apply for legal aid from a legal aid institution under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The criminal suspect fails to hire a lawyer due to financial difficulties after the first interrogation by the investigation organ or the day when compulsory measures are taken;
(2) The victim of a public prosecution case and his legal representative or near relative have not entrusted an agent ad litem due to financial difficulties since the date when the case was transferred for examination and prosecution. (2) The victim of a public prosecution case and his legal representative or close relatives have not entrusted an agent ad litem due to financial difficulties since the date when the case was transferred for examination and prosecution; (3) The victim of a case of private prosecution and his legal representative have not entrusted an agent ad litem due to financial difficulties since the date when the people's court accepted the case.
article 34 of the criminal procedure law of People's Republic of China (PRC), if a criminal suspect or defendant fails to appoint a defender due to financial difficulties or other reasons, he or his near relatives may apply to a legal aid institution for legal aid. In line with the conditions of legal aid, legal aid institutions shall appoint lawyers to defend them.