What criminal cases can I apply for legal aid?

The Legal Aid Law stipulates that if a person who may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death does not entrust 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 as a defender.

Article 25 of the Legal Aid Law If a criminal suspect or defendant in a criminal case falls into one of the following circumstances and 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 appoint a lawyer as a defender:

(1) Minors;

(2) Persons with vision, hearing and speech disabilities;

(3) Adults who can't fully recognize their behavior;

(4) Persons who may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death;

(5) Defendants in death penalty review cases who apply for legal aid;

(6) The defendant tried in absentia;

(seven) other personnel as prescribed by laws and regulations.

In other criminal cases that are tried by ordinary procedures, if the defendant fails to entrust a defender, the people's court may notify the legal aid institution to appoint a lawyer as a defender.