Can two people hire a lawyer in a criminal case?

Legal analysis: Lawyers are particularly important for criminals. A lawyer can represent the plaintiff or defend the defendant, but a lawyer can only choose one of them and cannot defend several criminals at the same time, which will violate his professional ethics. Therefore, lawyers must follow the procedures prescribed by law in the process of agency.

Legal basis: Article 13 of the Code for Lawyers Handling Criminal Cases, the same lawyer shall not defend two or more criminal suspects and defendants in the same case, nor shall he defend two or more criminal suspects and defendants who are not involved in the same case but are related to the suspected crime. If the same law firm accepts the entrustment of two or more criminal suspects and defendants in the same case and appoints different lawyers as defenders, it must inform the clients and obtain their consent.