At the court stage, lawyers still play a very important role. After the People's Procuratorate files a public prosecution in the People's Court, a lawyer may accept the entrustment of the defendant or his relatives and friends to serve as the defendant's defender. 1. After accepting the entrustment, a lawyer must review whether the case falls within the jurisdiction of the court to which the case belongs. 2. Lawyers have the right to inspect, excerpt, and copy case materials of the People's Court. If the case materials reviewed by lawyers lack the procuratorial organs' required transfer according to law, they have the right to apply to the People's Court to notify the procuratorial organs to make supplementary transfers. 3. Lawyers have the right to meet with the defendant, listen to the defendant’s statement and defense, verify the case situation and evidence materials, and learn whether the defendant has been detained for an extended period and whether the defendant’s legitimate rights and interests have been damaged. Lawyers should introduce the court proceedings to the defendant and inform them of their litigation rights and obligations and matters that should be paid attention to during the trial. 4. During the trial stage, lawyers may investigate and collect evidence and materials related to the case in accordance with legal provisions and actual conditions. Lawyers should appear in court in accordance with the law, participate in court investigations and debates, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the defendant. 6 After the first-instance judgment, the lawyer has the right to obtain a copy of the judgment. During the appeal, the lawyer can meet with the defendant, listen to the defendant's opinions on the content of the judgment and whether to appeal, and provide legal assistance
Legal Basis
"Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China" Article 33***: In addition to exercising its own right to defend criminal suspects and defendants, the state may entrust one or two people as defenders. The following persons may be entrusted as defenders: (1) Lawyers; (2) People's organizations or the units where criminal suspects and defendants work recommended by people's organizations; (3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants. Persons who are being executed or whose personal freedom is being deprived or restricted in accordance with the law shall not serve as defenders. Persons who have been dismissed from public office or whose practicing certificates as lawyers or notaries have been revoked may not serve as defenders, except for guardians or close relatives of criminal suspects or defendants.