How long does it take a lawyer to close a criminal case?

Under normal circumstances, criminal cases should be closed within 2 months, the longest not exceeding 3 months. However, if it is a case that can be sentenced to death or a case with incidental civil action, and it is difficult to close the case under legal circumstances, it may be extended for 3 months with the approval of the people's court at the next higher level; If there are special circumstances that need to be extended, it shall be submitted to the Supreme Court for approval.

legal ground

Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Law

When trying a case of public prosecution, the people's court shall pronounce a judgment within two months after accepting it, and no later than three months. For a case that may be sentenced to death or an incidental civil lawsuit, if one of the circumstances stipulated in Article 158 of this Law occurs, it may be extended for three months with the approval of the people's court at the next higher level; Due to special circumstances need to be extended, it shall be submitted to the Supreme People's Court for approval.

If the people's court changes its jurisdiction, it shall be counted from the date when the changed people's court receives the case.

The people's court shall recalculate the time limit for hearing a case transferred to the people's court after the supplementary investigation by the people's procuratorate is completed.