The law clearly stipulates that while criminal suspects and defendants are in custody, their guardians and close relatives can also appoint defenders on their behalf. When interrogating a criminal suspect for the first time or taking compulsory measures against a criminal suspect, the investigation agency shall inform the criminal suspect of the right to entrust a defender.
Article 33 of the "Criminal Procedure Law" A criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender from the day he is first interrogated or takes compulsory measures by the investigation agency; during the investigation, he can only entrust a lawyer to act as a defender. defender. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time.
When interrogating a criminal suspect for the first time or taking compulsory measures against him, the investigative agency shall inform him of his right to entrust a defender. The People's Procuratorate shall, within three days from the date of receipt of case materials transferred for review and prosecution, inform the criminal suspect of the right to entrust a defender. The people's court shall inform the defendant of the right to entrust a defender within three days from the date of accepting the case. If criminal suspects or defendants request to entrust a defender while in custody, the people's court, people's procuratorate and public security organs shall promptly convey the request.
Criminal suspects and defendants in custody may also have their guardians or close relatives appoint defenders on their behalf.