When can criminal defense lawyers exercise the right to read papers at the earliest?

Legal analysis: defense lawyers can consult, extract and copy the case files and exercise the right of marking papers from the date when the people's procuratorate examines and prosecutes the case.

Legal basis:

1. Article 40 of the Criminal Procedure Law stipulates that defense lawyers may consult, extract and copy the case files from the date when the people's procuratorate examines and prosecutes the case. Other defenders may also consult, extract and copy the above materials with the permission of the people's court or the people's procuratorate.