Who can entrust a lawyer to conduct criminal defense?

Legal analysis: If a criminal suspect's family members in criminal detention entrust a lawyer to represent the case, they should go through the agency procedures and meet the criminal suspect. A criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising their right of defense.

Legal basis: Article 32 of the Criminal Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). In addition to exercising the right of defense, criminal suspects and defendants may also entrust one or two people as defenders. The following persons may be entrusted as defenders:

(1) lawyers;

(2) A person recommended by a people's organization or the unit to which the criminal suspect or defendant belongs;

(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants.

A person who has been sentenced to punishment according to law or deprived of or restricted personal freedom shall not act as a defender.