Criminal cases are different from civil cases. There is no need to pay legal fees for criminal cases, but service fees are required for entrusted lawyers. If you have difficulties, you can also apply for legal aid.
Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 167 All cases requiring public prosecution shall be examined and decided by the People's Procuratorate.
Second, how much does it cost to hire a lawyer in criminal cases?
(1) The charging standard for criminal cases is piecework charging at all stages of handling cases.
1. In the investigation stage, the charge for each piece is 2000- 10000 yuan.
2. In the stage of review and prosecution, the charge for each piece is 2000- 10000 yuan.
3, the preliminary stage, each charge 4000-30000 yuan.
4. The above charging standards are not limited.
(2) In cases of second instance, death penalty review, retrial, appeal and criminal private prosecution, the lawyer's service fee shall be charged according to the charging standard in the first instance.
(three) the law firm represents multiple stages of a case, and reduces the fees as appropriate from the second stage.
(4) If the victim files a criminal incidental civil action case, the lawyer's service fee shall be charged according to the charging standard of civil action case.
(5) If a criminal suspect or defendant is involved in several crimes or several criminal facts at the same time, they can be prosecuted separately according to the crimes or criminal facts involved.
Three, how to apply for legal aid in criminal proceedings
Legal aid is generally applied to the local judicial bureau. Under any of the following circumstances in criminal proceedings, citizens may apply for legal aid from legal aid institutions:
(1) The criminal suspect fails to hire a lawyer due to financial difficulties after being interrogated for the first time by the investigation organ or from the date when compulsory measures are taken;
(2) The victim of a public prosecution case and his legal representative or close relatives have not entrusted an agent ad litem due to financial difficulties since the date when the case was transferred for examination and prosecution;
(three) since the case of private prosecution was accepted by the people's court, the private prosecutor and his legal representative have not entrusted an agent ad litem due to financial difficulties.
In a case where a public prosecutor appears in court for public prosecution, the defendant fails to entrust a defender due to financial difficulties or other reasons. If the people's court appoints a defender for the defendant, the legal aid institution shall provide legal aid.
If the defendant is blind, deaf, dumb or a minor without a defender, or if the defendant may be sentenced to death without a defender, when the people's court appoints a defender for the defendant, the legal aid institution shall provide legal aid without examining the defendant's financial situation.
Citizens applying for legal aid agency and criminal defense shall submit the following documents and supporting materials:
(1) ID card or other valid identification, and the agent applicant shall also submit the agent certificate;
(2) proof of economic difficulties;
(3) Case materials related to the application for legal aid.
The application shall be in written form and fill in the application form; If it is really difficult to apply in writing, you can apply orally, and the staff of the legal aid institution or the staff of the relevant institution that forwarded the application shall make a written record.