Legal basis: Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC).
Article 277 The principle of education, probation and salvation shall be applied to minors who commit crimes, and the principle of giving priority to education and supplementing punishment shall be adhered to. When handling juvenile criminal cases, the people's courts, people's procuratorates and public security organs shall ensure that minors exercise their litigation rights and obtain legal assistance, which shall be undertaken by judges, prosecutors and investigators who are familiar with the physical and mental characteristics of minors.
Article 278 If a juvenile criminal suspect or defendant fails to entrust a defender, the people's court, the people's procuratorate and the public security organ shall notify the legal aid institution to defend his appointed lawyer.
Article 279 When handling juvenile criminal cases, public security organs, people's procuratorates and people's courts may, according to the circumstances, investigate the growth experience, causes of crimes and guardianship education of juvenile suspects and defendants.