Legal analysis: criminal cases can be done without lawyers. Hiring a lawyer is the right of the parties, not their obligation. A criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender from the day when he is interrogated for the first time by the investigation organ or takes compulsory measures; During the investigation, only lawyers can be entrusted as defenders. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time. When interrogating a criminal suspect for the first time or taking compulsory measures against him, the investigation organ shall inform him that he has the right to entrust a defender. The people's procuratorate shall, within three days from the date of receiving the case materials transferred for examination and prosecution, inform the criminal suspect that he has the right to entrust a defender. The people's court shall, within three days from the date of accepting the case, inform the defendant of the right to entrust a defender.
Legal basis: Article 31 of the Lawyers Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), when a lawyer acts as a defender, he shall, according to facts and laws, put forward materials and opinions on whether the criminal suspect or defendant is innocent, the crime is light, or the criminal responsibility is reduced or exempted, so as to safeguard the litigation rights and other legitimate rights and interests of the criminal suspect or defendant.