Can a lawyer represent two defendants at the same time in a criminal case?

The law clearly stipulates that lawyers cannot represent both parties in the same case. There is no restriction on representing two different victims at the same time in criminal cases.

Legal basis:

1. Article 39 of the Lawyers Law: A lawyer may not act as an agent for both parties in the same case, nor may he represent legal affairs with conflicts of interest with himself or his close relatives.

2. Article 32 of the Criminal Procedure Law: A criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising their right of defense. 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.