Is it necessary to hire a lawyer in criminal cases?

Legal analysis: Asking a lawyer to defend is the only way to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects and defendants. This is necessary. Of course, the premise is that you have economic conditions. But there is no need to hire a lawyer for a small case with clear facts and uncontroversial nature. However, you need to consult a lawyer in advance to understand the relevant situation. Defendants and criminal suspects cannot be deprived of their right to defense, and those without defenders can defend themselves. However, if a criminal suspect or defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death without entrusting 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.

Legal basis: Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC).

Thirty-sixth legal aid institutions can send lawyers on duty in people's courts, detention centers and other places. If the criminal suspect or defendant does not entrust a defender or the legal aid institution does not entrust a lawyer to defend him, the lawyer on duty will provide legal assistance to the criminal suspect or defendant, such as legal consultation, suggestions on procedure selection, application for changing compulsory measures, and suggestions on handling cases. The people's courts, people's procuratorates and detention centers shall inform the criminal suspects and defendants that they have the right to meet the lawyers on duty, and provide convenience for the criminal suspects and defendants to meet the lawyers on duty.

Article 37 The duty of a defender is to present materials and opinions on whether a criminal suspect or defendant is innocent, light or relieved of criminal responsibility according to facts and laws, and to safeguard the litigation rights and other legitimate rights and interests of the criminal suspect or defendant.