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