Law - Legal basis:
Article 37 of the Criminal Procedure Law: Defense lawyers may meet and communicate with criminal suspects and defendants in custody. Other defenders may also meet and communicate with criminal suspects and defendants in custody with the permission of the People's Civil Court and the People's Procuratorate.
If a defense lawyer requests to meet with a detained criminal suspect or defendant with a lawyer's practicing certificate, law firm certificate, power of attorney, and legal aid letter, the detention center shall arrange the meeting in a timely manner, no later than 48 hours.
In cases of crimes endangering national security, terrorist activities, and particularly major bribery crimes, defense lawyers shall obtain permission from the investigation, prosecution, and customs when meeting criminal suspects in custody during the investigation stage. The above-mentioned cases, investigations, inspections and clean-ups should be notified to the Security Bureau in advance.
When defense lawyers meet with criminal suspects and defendants in custody, they can learn about the case and provide legal advice. From the date the case is transferred for trial, investigation, and prosecution, relevant evidence can be verified with criminal suspects and defendants. Defense lawyers are not subject to supervision when meeting criminal suspects and defendants.
The provisions of paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 shall apply to meetings and correspondence between defense lawyers and criminal suspects and defendants in custody.