No, if a criminal suspect is in custody, his guardian or close relatives may entrust a defender, but friends cannot. Paragraph 3 of Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) stipulates that if a criminal suspect or defendant is in custody, his guardian or near relative may also entrust a defender. Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) stipulates that a criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising the right of defense. 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.
Legal objectivity:
Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) * * * A criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising the right of defense by himself. 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. A person who has been dismissed from public office or has his lawyer's or notary's practice certificate revoked may not act as a defender, except the guardian or near relative of the criminal suspect or defendant.