The first point is the difference in cost. In legal aid cases, the state pays the fees of defense lawyers. In some areas, the income of a case defense lawyer is 1000 yuan (varies from place to place), and the fees of self-funded lawyers are negotiated by the client, his close relatives and lawyers. Take Shanghai as an example, the starting price is 5000 yuan. Therefore, in terms of fees, the income of defense lawyers in self-funded cases is significantly higher than that in legal aid cases.
Second, the important difference is the difference between lawyers. Legal aid cases are usually assigned corresponding defense lawyers by local judicial organs. As a party, it is impossible to choose a lawyer at first, and then it is usually difficult to refuse the help of a lawyer, and at the same time, it is impossible to get better communication. However, self-funded lawyers are completely different. Usually, the defendant or his close relatives choose their own defense lawyers according to their own needs.
Third, the scope of work is different. Defense lawyers in legal aid cases usually exercise their right of defense according to law. In addition to exercising the right of defense according to law, lawyers at their own expense also have an important mission, that is, to abide by the agreement with their clients. For example, interviews, spiritual appeasement, investigation and evidence collection. Therefore, in the scope of work, the scope of work of self-funded lawyers is much larger than that of legal aid defense lawyers.
Fourth, it is important that the work pressure is different. For legal aid cases, the court's judgment is good or bad, which has nothing to do with assisting lawyers or involving their personal professional reputation. Self-funded lawyers are different. Self-funded lawyers often work for two goals. The first is the reputation of personal practice, and the second is to try to meet the agreement with the client, especially the expectation of the client.