Legal analysis: It is expressly stipulated that defense lawyers can meet and communicate with criminal suspects and defendants in custody without being monitored. Other defenders, with the permission of the people's courts and people's procuratorates, may also meet and correspond with criminal suspects and defendants in custody. If a defense lawyer holds a lawyer's practice certificate, a law firm's certificate, a power of attorney or a letter of legal aid to ask for a meeting with the criminal suspect or defendant in custody, the detention center shall arrange the meeting in time, which shall not exceed 48 hours at the latest.
Legal basis: Article 33 of the Lawyers Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). Lawyers who act as defenders have the right to meet criminal suspects and defendants in custody or under residential surveillance with lawyer's practice certificate, law firm certificate, power of attorney or legal aid letter in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law. Defense lawyers are not monitored when meeting with criminal suspects and defendants.