Who can be a criminal defender?

Defenders of criminal cases include: (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. After accepting the entrustment, the defender shall defend the parties to a criminal case and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. 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 their 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. 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.