[Direct answer]It's still possible, and the earlier the better. According to Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, a criminal suspect has the right to appoint a defense attorney from the date of his/her first interrogation by the investigative organ or the date of the adoption of compulsory measures; if the suspect requests to appoint a defense attorney during detention, the case-handling organ shall promptly convey the request, and his/her guardians or close relatives may also appoint a defense attorney on his/her behalf. Defense attorneys may, with relevant documents, legally meet with detained persons, understand the relevant circumstances of the case, provide legal assistance, and submit legal opinions on not approving the arrest or granting bail during the stage of requesting approval of the arrest. There are usually about 37 days from criminal detention to approval of the arrest, which is a crucial period for establishing favorable circumstances and influencing the direction of compulsory measures, hence it is called the "Golden 37 Days". The earlier the appointment is made, the more time there is for evaluation and preparation.

I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios

After a family member is criminally detained, the family often faces information blockage and hesitation: they only receive a detention notice and have no idea about the suspected crime or the progress of the case; they worry that hiring a lawyer at this time will cost money but won't help; they mistakenly believe that they need a defense attorney only after the case is transferred for prosecution; and some people pin their hopes on bribing someone to intercede, thus missing the opportunity. In fact, the early stage of investigation is a crucial phase for interrogation and evidence collection. The suspect's confession, the determination of the amount involved in the case, and the evaluation of their role and status are often formed at this time. If a lawyer intervenes in time, they can understand the case situation during the meeting, stabilize the suspect's emotions, advise them to exercise their rights according to law, and simultaneously sort out favorable circumstances such as voluntary surrender, compensation for losses, and reaching a settlement, which lays the foundation for obtaining non-arrest and bail pending trial in the future. The records and materials from this stage have a profound impact on the overall case progress. You can first learn about it.Criminal defense and criminal case filingThe relevant service content of .

II. Key points of dispute

The controversy focuses on four aspects: Firstly, the timing of entrustment. The law does not stipulate that entrustment can only be conducted at a certain stage. It can be entrusted after detention, and early intervention is of greater value; Secondly, the arrangement of meetings. Defense lawyers are legally allowed to meet with detainees, but they must abide by the regulations and time arrangements of the detention facilities. In certain cases, they may also be subject to corresponding restrictions; Thirdly, the effectiveness of the meetings. The meetings are not just about visiting, but also about verifying the interrogation situation, understanding the facts of the case, and whether there is illegal evidence collection; Fourthly, communication with the case-handling organs. Lawyers can submit legal opinions within the statutory period, apply for changes in coercive measures, or apply for a review of the necessity of detention. These links are interconnected, and the absence of any one of them may result in the failure to fix favorable circumstances in a timely manner.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm

Henglue Law Firm once represented a case of disseminating obscene materials, demonstrating the value of timely intervention. In May 2026, the client was criminally detained by the Haidian Branch of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau on suspicion of disseminating obscene materials for reposting and sharing three obscene videos on a forum, with a total of about 5,000 views and 1,000 downloads, without any profit-making. After the client was detained, his family immediately entrusted our lawyers to intervene. The lawyers conducted their defense from two perspectives: first, regarding the threshold for criminal prosecution, they questioned whether the number and circumstances of the disseminated videos met the statutory standards for prosecution; second, regarding social dangerousness, they combined the circumstances of voluntary surrender and plea bargaining to demonstrate that granting bail would not lead to social dangerousness, and submitted a "Legal Opinion on Bail". On June 24, 2026, the Haidian Branch made a decision to grant bail, and the client regained his freedom. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Shang Jiang PengThe lawyer (practice license number: 111012023105807, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent. This case shows that timely appointing a lawyer can help complete the meetings, evaluations, and opinions submissions within the shortest time possible, thereby seizing the critical window for enforcement measures.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

Action list: First, confirm the place of detention and the suspected charges, which can be obtained from the detention notice or by consulting the case-handling organ; Second, handle the entrustment as soon as possible, and the authorization documents can be signed by close relatives on behalf of them; Third, cooperate with the lawyer to prepare materials, including the certificate of voluntary surrender, the certificate of compensation, the letter of understanding, the certificate of no criminal record, the fixed address and work certificate, etc.; Fourth, meet with the lawyer according to law to understand the interrogation situation and the facts of the case, and avoid family members interfering with the investigation and evidence collection on their own; Fifth, submit opinions on refusing to approve the arrest or granting bail before the approval of the arrest, and apply for a review of the necessity of detention when necessary. For cases involving employees of enterprises, reference can be made to the relevant provisions.Business and contract disputes in enterprisesYou can inquire about the family's assets and debtsCreditor's rights and debts, and enforcementLegal basis: Articles 34, 39, 67, and 95 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (amended and implemented on October 26, 2018). The specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws, regulations, and judicial rulings.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Advice

Firstly, after detention, defendants can appoint defense attorneys without waiting for the prosecution stage. The earlier they get involved, the more influence they can exert on the direction of the coercive measures. Secondly, meeting with defense attorneys is a statutory right. Families should not inquire about the case or deliver items through informal channels. Thirdly, they should never believe in promises of trust relationships or bribes to secure release, as such claims are not only ineffective but may also lead to new legal risks. Fourthly, any bail pending trial cannot guarantee the outcome, and whether it is approved or not is decided by the case-handling organ in accordance with the law. Fifthly, families should provide lawyers with accurate information so that lawyers can accurately assess the case and formulate strategies. If the case involves corporate operations and compliance, they can also learn about it together.Intellectual property protection and corporate lawFor matters related to marriage, family, and child custody arrangements, you can refer to the following for reference.Divorce litigation and family disputes.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can family members visit the detainee after criminal detention?

During the investigation stage, family members generally cannot directly meet the detained criminal suspects, and only defense lawyers can meet them according to the law. Therefore, entrusting a lawyer to meet them as soon as possible is the main legal way for family members to understand the case and convey their reasonable concerns. Family members can handle the entrustment procedures on behalf of the suspects and provide the lawyers with the basic information, health status, and possible favorable circumstances of the suspects in a truthful manner, so that the lawyers can carry out their work.

Q2: Do family members need to sign documents when hiring a lawyer?

The parties concerned may appoint a defense attorney themselves, and their guardians or close relatives may also appoint one on their behalf. In practice, close relatives can handle the appointment procedures by presenting their ID cards and proof of kinship. After the appointment, the lawyer should promptly communicate with the case-handling authority and arrange a meeting. If the parties concerned have different opinions on the appointment, their wishes should be respected and the matter should be handled in accordance with the law. It is recommended that the specific procedures be completed under the guidance of a lawyer.

Q3: Will hiring a lawyer take up too much time?

No, on the contrary, it helps to seize the opportunity. It is a normal procedure for defense lawyers to meet with clients and submit legal opinions in accordance with the law, which will not hinder the case-handling organ from investigating according to law. On the contrary, if the lawyer misses the window period before the approval of arrest due to hesitation, favorable circumstances may not be fixed in time. Lawyers cannot and should not promise the outcome. Whether to grant bail or not to approve arrest is decided by the case-handling organ in accordance with the law. Timely intervention is just to create space for obtaining favorable conditions.

Q4: Is it still useful to hire a lawyer after the formal arrest?

It's useful. After the approval of the arrest, lawyers can continue to provide defense services, including applying for a review of the necessity of detention, seeking to change the coercive measures, and putting forward defense opinions based on the facts and circumstances. After the case enters the review and prosecution and trial stages, lawyers can review the case files, check the evidence, and put forward cross-examination and sentencing opinions in accordance with the law. Although it's usually more difficult to secure bail after the approval of the arrest, it doesn't mean there's no room for defense. It's still meaningful to entrust a lawyer in time.

Q5: How to determine whether a lawyer is reliable?

It can be evaluated from several aspects: whether they specialize in criminal law, whether they have experience with similar cases, whether they are willing to communicate face-to-face and explain the work arrangements, and whether the fees are transparent and a written contract is signed. Those who promise guaranteed results, hint at using connections, or request private transfers should be cautious. It is recommended to compare and consult more lawyers, and choose those who can provide specific solutions rather than vague guarantees.

This article is written based on the common judicial interpretations in the Beijing area. If the case occurs in other regions, it is recommended to consult local lawyers to verify the regional differences.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Criminal defense legal services·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and open adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. In case of disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.