Is legal aid available for criminal cases?

Legal aid is available for criminal cases. If the criminal suspect or defendant is blind, deaf, mute or a mental patient who has not completely lost the ability to recognize or control his own behavior and has not appointed a defender, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organs shall notify legal aid The agency appoints a lawyer to defend it.

Legal Basis

Article 35 of the Criminal Procedure Law

If a criminal suspect or defendant fails to retain a defender due to financial difficulties or other reasons, he or she shall Close relatives can apply to legal aid agencies. If the person meets the conditions for legal aid, the legal aid institution shall assign a lawyer to defend him or her.

If a criminal suspect or defendant is blind, deaf, mute or a mentally ill person who has not completely lost the ability to recognize or control his own behavior and has not appointed a defender, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organs shall notify the law. Aid agencies appoint lawyers to defend them.

If a criminal suspect or defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death and has not retained a defender, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security agency shall notify the legal aid agency to assign a lawyer to provide defense for him.