The constitutional guarantee
Under article 29 of the Constitution, everyone is guaranteed the right to receive qualified legal assistance. In the cases the law names, that assistance is given at the expense of the state.
In criminal cases
Article 51 of the Criminal Procedure Code lists the cases where a defence lawyer must take part: for example cases of minors, or of persons who do not know the language of the proceedings. If no defence lawyer was invited in such a case, the inquiry officer, the investigator, the prosecutor or the court must secure the participation of a lawyer who gives legal assistance at the expense of the state.
Where to apply
Apply to the body or the court that handles the case. In a criminal case the inquiry officer, the investigator, the prosecutor or the court, and in a civil case the court, takes measures at a party's request to secure the participation of a lawyer at the expense of the state. This follows the procedure set by the Law on Legal Assistance at the Expense of the State.
Advice
Before you apply, put your documents in order and write the chronology of events on one sheet. This saves consultation time and improves the quality of the answer.