According to the provisions of Paragraph 3 of Article 37 of the Criminal Procedure Law, for three types of criminal cases involving crimes endangering national security, crimes of terrorist activities and particularly serious bribery crimes, defense lawyers shall meet with detainees during the investigation. A criminal suspect must obtain permission from the investigation agency. However, the procuratorate is responsible for investigating cases of bribery by state employees. Therefore, before the investigation of the case is completed, the procuratorate may refuse to approve the defense lawyer's application for an interview in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.
But if the case has been investigated, the lawyer can meet directly without going through the approval process.
Criminal Procedure Law
Article 37: 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 Court and 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, or 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 must obtain permission from the investigation agency to meet with criminal suspects in custody during the investigation. The investigation agency shall notify the detention center of the above situation in advance.