Legal basis: Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC).
Article 33 A criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender from the day when he is interrogated for the first time by the investigation organ or compulsory measures are taken. During the investigation, only lawyers can be entrusted as defenders. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time.
Article 216 The defendant, the private prosecutor and their legal representatives have the right to appeal to the people's court at the next higher level in writing or orally if they refuse to accept the judgment or ruling of first instance of the local people's courts at various levels. Defenders and close relatives of the defendant may appeal with the consent of the defendant.
Article 241 The parties concerned, their legal representatives and close relatives may appeal to a people's court or a people's procuratorate against a legally effective judgment or ruling, but the execution of the judgment or ruling shall not be suspended.