Whether criminal judgments are confidential?

Indictments in criminal cases are confidential and not made public. However, after the People's Court decides to open a trial, it shall serve a copy of the People's Procuratorate's indictment to the defendant and his defender ten days before the trial. If the procuratorial organ makes a decision not to prosecute, the People's Procuratorate shall serve the decision not to prosecute on the victim and the person being not prosecuted.

Legal Basis

Article 187, Paragraph 1, Item (2) of the "Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China"

The People's Court decided to open a hearing After the trial, the members of the collegial panel shall be determined, and a copy of the People's Procuratorate's indictment shall be served to the defendant and his defender at least ten days before the hearing.

Before the trial, judges may convene prosecutors, parties and defendants, and litigation agents to hold discussions on trial-related issues such as recusal, list of witnesses to appear, exclusion of illegal evidence, etc., to understand the situation and listen to opinions.