Can a criminal defender be a relative?

Legal analysis: According to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, defenders in criminal cases can be relatives, friends and guardians of the defendant in addition to lawyers, so family members can be defenders.

Legal basis: Article 32 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). In addition to exercising the right of defense, criminal suspects and defendants may also entrust one or two people 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.