The way for criminal suspects to hire defense lawyers: Family members can be entrusted to hire lawyers from law firms. A criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender from the date he is first interrogated or taken compulsory measures by the investigative agency. However, during the investigation, only lawyers can be entrusted as defenders.
Legal objectivity:
Article 34 of the "Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China"* * From now on, you have the right to entrust a defender; during the investigation, you can only entrust a lawyer as your defender. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time. When interrogating a criminal suspect or taking compulsory measures against him for the first time, the investigative agency shall inform him of the right to entrust a defender. The People's Procuratorate shall, within three days from the date of receipt of case materials transferred for review and prosecution, inform the criminal suspect of the right to entrust a defender. The People's Court shall, within three days from the date of accepting the case, notify the defendant of the right to entrust a defender. If criminal suspects or defendants request to entrust a defender while in custody, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organs shall promptly convey the request. If a criminal suspect or defendant is in custody, his or her guardian or close relative may also entrust a defender. After accepting the entrustment of a criminal suspect or defendant, the defender shall promptly notify the case handling agency.