Article 35 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China*** and the State of China, the responsibility of the defense is to put forward, in accordance with the facts and the law, the materials and opinions on the innocence of the criminal suspect, the defendant, the lesser degree of guilt, or the mitigation or exemption of his criminal responsibility, and to safeguard the procedural rights and other lawful rights and interests of the criminal suspect, the defendant.
Article 36 A defense lawyer may, during the period of investigation, provide legal assistance to a criminal suspect; represent a complaint or indictment; apply for a change of compulsory measures; and learn from the investigating authorities about the suspect's suspected charges and the relevant circumstances of the case, and offer opinions.
Article 37 A defense lawyer may meet and correspond with the suspect or defendant in custody. Other defenders, with the permission of the people's court and the people's procuratorate, may also meet and correspond with the criminal suspect or defendant in custody.