Can't lawyers represent criminal proceedings?

According to the current regulations, people who are not lawyers can also act as defenders or agents ad litem in criminal cases according to law as long as they meet the provisions of Articles 32 and 45 of the Criminal Procedure Law.

The answer is based on Articles 32 and 45 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC).

Article 32 A criminal suspect or defendant may, in addition to exercising the right of defense, entrust one or two persons as defenders. The following persons may be entrusted as defenders:

(1) lawyers;

(2) A person recommended by a people's organization or the unit to which the criminal suspect or defendant belongs;

(3) Guardians, relatives and friends of criminal suspects and defendants.

A person who has been sentenced to punishment according to law or deprived of or restricted personal freedom shall not act as a defender.

Article 45 Entrusting an agent ad litem shall be carried out with reference to the provisions of Article 32 of this Law.