As long as the police interrogate the suspect for the first time or take compulsory measures, they can hire a defense lawyer. When interrogating a criminal suspect for the first time or taking compulsory measures against him, the investigation organ shall inform him that he has the right to entrust a defender. The people's procuratorate shall, within three days from the date of receiving the case materials transferred for examination and prosecution, inform the criminal suspect that he has the right to entrust a defender. The people's court shall, within three days from the date of accepting the case, inform the defendant of the right to entrust a defender. If a criminal suspect or defendant requests to entrust a defender while in custody, the people's court, the people's procuratorate and the public security organ shall promptly convey it.
According to Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), a criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender from the day when he is interrogated for the first time by the investigation organ or takes compulsory measures. During the investigation, he can only entrust a lawyer as a defender. The defendant has the right to entrust a defender at any time.
legal ground
Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) * * * A criminal suspect or defendant may entrust one or two persons as defenders in addition to exercising the right of defense by himself. 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. A person who has been dismissed from public office or has his lawyer's or notary's practice certificate revoked may not act as a defender, except the guardian or near relative of the criminal suspect or defendant.