Does a lawyer need to be present when interrogating criminal suspects under the age of 14?

Legal analysis: When interrogating criminal suspects under the age of 14, a lawyer is not required to be present, but the legal representative of the minor criminal suspect should be notified to be present. If notification cannot be made, the legal representative cannot be present, or the legal representative commits a crime, other adult relatives of the minor criminal suspect may also be notified.

Legal basis: "Procedural Regulations for the Handling of Criminal Cases by Public Security Organs"

Article 322: When the public security organs handle criminal cases of minors, they may, according to the circumstances, punish minors for committing crimes. Investigate the suspect's growth experience, reasons for committing the crime, guardianship and education, etc., and prepare an investigation report. If an investigation report is made, when applying for approval of arrest or transfer for review and prosecution, the investigation report and case file materials should be transferred to the People's Procuratorate together with comprehensive consideration of the case.

Article 323: When interrogating a minor criminal suspect, the minor criminal suspect’s legal representative shall be notified to be present. If it is impossible to notify, the legal representative cannot be present, or the legal representative commits a crime, other adult relatives of the minor criminal suspect, the school, the unit, the place of residence or the grassroots organization or representatives of the minors protection organization where the case handling unit is located may also be notified. Be present and record the situation. The legal representative present may exercise the litigation rights of the minor criminal suspect on his or her behalf. If the legal representative or other persons present suggest during interrogation that investigators have violated the legitimate rights and interests of minors, the public security organs shall carefully verify the matter and handle it in accordance with the law.