When can a criminal suspect or defendant entrust a defender?

1 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 compulsory measures are taken. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time.

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.

If a criminal suspect or defendant requests to entrust a defender while in custody, the court, the procuratorate and the public security organ shall promptly convey it.

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 3 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 3 days from the date of accepting the case, inform the defendant of the right to entrust a defender.

Note: During the investigation, only lawyers can be entrusted as defenders.