Article 34 If a criminal suspect or defendant is unable to entrust a defender due to financial difficulties or other reasons, he or his near relatives may apply to a legal aid institution. In line with the conditions of legal aid, legal aid institutions shall appoint lawyers to defend them.
if the criminal suspect or defendant is blind, deaf, mute or mentally ill who has not completely lost the ability to identify or control his own behavior, and has not entrusted a defender, the people's court, the people's procuratorate and the public security organ shall notify the legal aid institution to appoint a lawyer to provide defense for him.
if a criminal suspect or defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death penalty, and has not entrusted a defender, the people's court, the people's procuratorate and the public security organ shall notify the legal aid institution to appoint a lawyer to defend him.