Legal analysis: If criminal suspects or defendants request to entrust a defender while in custody, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organs should convey the request in a timely manner. While criminal suspects or defendants are in custody, their guardians or close relatives may also appoint defenders on their behalf. After accepting the entrustment of a criminal suspect or defendant, the defender shall promptly notify the case handling agency.
Legal basis: Article 33 of the People's Republic of China and the National Criminal Procedure Law. In addition to exercising their own right to defense, criminal suspects and defendants may also entrust one or two people as defenders. The following people can be entrusted as defenders:
(1) Lawyers;
(2) People recommended by people’s organizations or the unit where the criminal suspect or defendant works;
< p>(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants. Persons who are being sentenced or whose personal freedom is deprived or restricted in accordance with the law shall not serve as defenders. Persons who have been dismissed from public office and whose practicing certificates as lawyers or notaries have been revoked may not serve as defenders, except as guardians or close relatives of criminal suspects or defendants.