When to hire a defense lawyer in criminal cases?

Legal analysis: a defense lawyer can be hired at any time in criminal cases, and the parties can hire a lawyer to provide legal advice after the first interrogation by the investigation organ or the day when compulsory measures are taken.

Legal basis: Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). 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.