Article 33 A criminal suspect has the right to entrust a defender in a case of public prosecution from the date when the case is transferred for examination and prosecution. The defendant in a case of private prosecution has the right to entrust a defender at any time.
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 a case of private prosecution, inform the defendant that he has the right to entrust a defender.