Criminal detention is generally 14 days, and the longest is 37 days. According to the law, a criminal suspect can hire a lawyer from the moment when compulsory measures are taken. If the procuratorate refuses to approve the arrest for more than 37 days, it may apply for bail pending trial. After that, the public security bureau will also investigate, the procuratorate will review and prosecute, and the court will try. In these processes, lawyers can intervene and provide defense.
Article 89 of the Criminal Procedure Law If a public security organ deems it necessary to arrest a detained person, it shall, within three days after detention, submit it to the people's procuratorate for examination and approval. Under special circumstances, the approval time can be extended by one to four days.
For major suspects who commit crimes on the run, commit crimes many times or commit crimes in collusion, the time for submitting for examination and approval may be extended to 30 days.
Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law: 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. If a criminal suspect or defendant requests to entrust a defender while in custody, the people's court, the people's procuratorate and the public security organ shall promptly convey it.
If a criminal suspect or defendant is in custody, his guardian or near relative may also entrust a defender.
After accepting the entrustment of a criminal suspect or defendant, the defender shall promptly inform the case-handling organ.