The defender can be a lawyer or someone else. However, lawyers are more suitable as defenders, because lawyers are proficient in legal practice and are conducive to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects and defendants.
Relevant laws and regulations:
Article 32 of the Criminal Procedure Law: In addition to exercising the right of defense, a criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders. The following persons may be entrusted as defenders:
(1) lawyers;
(2) A person recommended by a people's organization or the unit to which the criminal suspect or defendant belongs;
(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants.
A person who has been sentenced to punishment according to law or deprived of or restricted personal freedom shall not act as a defender.