The victim can hire a lawyer during the investigation stage. A criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender from the day he is first interrogated or takes compulsory measures by the investigation agency; during the investigation, he can only entrust a lawyer as a defender. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time. Legal objectives:
Article 34 of the "Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China"***, a state crime suspect has the right to entrust a Defender; During the investigation, only lawyers can be entrusted to serve as defenders. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time. When interrogating a criminal suspect for the first time or taking compulsory measures against a criminal suspect, the investigation agency shall inform the criminal suspect of the right to entrust a defender. The People's Procuratorate shall, within three days from the date of receipt of case materials transferred for review and prosecution, inform the criminal suspect of the right to entrust a defender. The people's court shall inform the defendant of the right to entrust a defender within three days from the date of accepting the case. If criminal suspects or defendants request to entrust a defender while in custody, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organs shall promptly convey the request. While a criminal suspect or defendant is in custody, his or her guardian or close relative may also appoint a defender on his or her behalf. After accepting the entrustment of a criminal suspect or defendant, the defender shall promptly notify the case handling agency.