Do lawyers have the money to defend criminals?

Legal analysis: It is normal for lawyers to defend others and work for a fee. Payment represents the client's respect for the lawyer's work and recognition of the lawyer's value. If the client has the ability to pay, he or she can hire a lawyer. If a family member in a criminal case has no money, they can apply for legal aid. During the investigation, they can only entrust lawyers as defenders. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time.

Legal basis: Article 35 of the "Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China". If a criminal suspect or defendant does not retain a defender due to financial difficulties or other reasons, he or his close relatives may apply to a legal aid agency. For those who meet the conditions for legal aid, the legal aid institution shall designate a lawyer to defend them. If a 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 the legal aid agency to appoint a lawyer to defend him. If a criminal suspect or defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death without retaining a defender, the People's Court, People's Procuratorate, and Public Security Bureau shall notify the legal aid agency to appoint a lawyer to defend him.