How come you weren’t detained for borrowing money?

Failure to repay borrowed money is a civil dispute and does not constitute a crime. Those who are under criminal detention are generally suspected of other criminal offenses. If your family members are unable to meet with the criminal suspect or defendant while you are in detention, it is recommended that you entrust a lawyer, who will meet with the criminal suspect to understand the case and provide legal assistance.

Relevant laws and regulations:

Article 37 of the Criminal Procedure Law: Defense lawyers may meet and communicate with criminal suspects and defendants in custody. Other defenders may also meet and communicate with criminal suspects and defendants in custody with the permission of the People's Court and People's Procuratorate.

If a defense lawyer requests to meet with a detained criminal suspect or defendant with a lawyer's practicing certificate, law firm certificate, power of attorney, or legal aid letter, the detention center shall arrange the meeting in a timely manner, no later than 48 hours.

In cases of crimes endangering national security, terrorist activities, and particularly major bribery crimes, defense lawyers must obtain permission from the investigation agency to meet with criminal suspects in custody during the investigation. The investigation agency shall notify the detention center of the above situation in advance.

Defense lawyers meet with criminal suspects and defendants in custody to learn about the case and provide legal advice. From the date the case is transferred for review and prosecution, relevant evidence can be verified with the criminal suspect or defendant. Defense lawyers are not subject to surveillance when meeting criminal suspects and defendants.

The provisions of paragraphs 1, 3, and 4 shall apply to meetings and communications between defense lawyers and criminal suspects and defendants who are under residential surveillance.