[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, after receiving the "Detention Notice", the family should first verify the detention location and the alleged charges, and promptly hire a defense lawyer to meet with the client and understand the case. According to Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (amended on December 29, 2019), the suspect has the right to hire a defense lawyer from the date of the first interrogation by the investigating organ or the date of taking compulsory measures; Article 91 stipulates that the public security organ shall apply for approval of detention within three days after detention, and the period may be extended by one to four days under special circumstances. Families should not blindly "bribe officials" or trust connections, but should grasp the "golden 37-day" rescue period and apply for bail through legal channels. For similar needs, please refer to the following content for reference:Criminal defenseColumn.

I. Problem background and typical scenarios

The "Detention Notice" is the first clue for family members to understand that their loved ones have been subject to coercive measures, but many families are at a loss when facing it for the first time. Such situations are common: first, after receiving the notice, they don't know which detention center the detainee is held in or what crime they are suspected of; second, they are eager to "bail out" the detainee and easily believe in so-called connections or brokers, only to suffer secondary losses; third, they mistakenly believe that they cannot hire a lawyer before the approval of the arrest warrant, missing early opportunities for meetings and bail; fourth, they ignore the detention period specified in the notice and fail to seek professional help within the legal time limit; fifth, family members have different opinions on whether to hire a lawyer, delaying decision-making. When handling similar cases in Beijing, lawyers usually first verify the detention center and the case-handling unit specified in the notice, and then entrust lawyers to meet with the detainee to verify the case. To understand the case-handling process, you can refer to the following materials:Criminal defenseThe practical explanations in the column.

II. Key points of contention

Focus I: The effectiveness of the notice and the boundaries of information. It only indicates that the person has been detained and suspected of a crime, which does not mean that he/she has been convicted. Focus II: Grasping the golden rescue period. The time limit for applying for arrest after detention directly affects whether it is possible to strive for non-arrest or bail. Focus III: The timeliness and necessity of lawyer's visit. Early visits can stabilize the client's emotions and verify key facts. Focus IV: Demonstrating the conditions for bail pending trial, which need to focus on social dangerousness, confession and repentance, etc. Focus V: The risk of family members trusting unofficial channels. Unofficial channels are not only ineffective but may also involve illegal activities. Focus VI: Clarifying the entrustment procedures and the scope of authorization. Specific determinations shall be based on the current effective laws and regulations and judicial judgments. For risk prevention, please refer to the relevant guidelines.Beijing Henglue Law FirmThe relevant prompts on the official website.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm

Taking the defense case of the crime of disseminating obscene materials handled by Attorney Shang Jiangpeng of our firm as an example, we can see the practical value of early intervention. In May 2026, C * was detained by the Haidian Branch of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau on suspicion of disseminating obscene materials after reposting and publishing three obscene video files on a forum. He was detained in the Haidian Detention Center. The three posts had a total of about 5,000 views and about 1,000 downloads. C * did not seek any profit and his motive was only to obtain points. On May 29, 2025, C * truthfully confessed his crime when questioned for the first time after being summoned. He was detained on May 30, 2026. He acted alone and had no accomplices. After appearing in court, he always admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty. His family entrusted our firm's lawyers to intervene. The lawyers immediately met with him to verify the case, confirming that he was a first-time offender, had surrendered himself to the authorities, admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty, and did not seek any profit. They submitted a "Legal Opinion on Bail" to the Haidian Branch, citing the provisions of Article 13 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China that "if the circumstances are obviously minor and do not constitute a crime", Article 15 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China on leniency for admitting guilt and pleading guilty, Article 67 on the conditions for bail, and Article 79 on the detention period. They argued from two aspects: that the threshold for criminal punishment was not met and that he posed no social danger. On June 24, 2026, the Haidian Branch determined that C * might be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment or above, but that bail would not pose a social danger, and decided to grant him bail. This case was handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.Shang JiangpengThe attorney (practice certificate number: 111012023105807, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

Action suggestions: First, immediately record the detention center, the suspected crime and the case-handling unit after receiving the notice, and verify the authenticity of the notice; Second, entrust a defense lawyer to meet with the suspect as soon as possible to avoid losing the right to speak during the golden period; Third, organize the proof of the relationship between the family and the suspect, the identity materials, and prepare the entrustment procedures. For relevant procedures, please refer to the guidebook.Special services and other cases1. The column; 2. Cooperate with lawyers to collect favorable circumstances such as the defendant being a first-time offender, surrendering voluntarily, admitting guilt and accepting punishment, or not posing a danger to society; 3. Be vigilant against fraudulent attempts to "bribe officials" and always follow legal procedures. 4. With regard to legal basis, Articles 34 and 39 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China guarantee the right to retain a defense attorney and to meet with the defendant; Article 67 stipulates the statutory conditions for bail pending trial; and Article 91 prescribes the time limit for applying for approval of arrest after detention.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Advice

Risk Alert: Firstly, detention does not equal conviction. The notice only indicates coercive measures, so family members should not panic. Secondly, the golden rescue period is short, so it is necessary to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to meet with the detainee and submit bail or legal opinions. Thirdly, the so-called "using connections to bail out people" is mostly a scam. Proper defense is the only reliable way. Fourthly, after the approval of the arrest, it is still possible to seek a change in coercive measures through a review of the necessity of detention, so it is not advisable to give up too early. For issues related to health and rights protection during detention, you can refer to the relevant provisions.Personal injury and medical disputesThe column. It is recommended that family members keep the notice and communication records well, which can serve as the basis for future rights protection.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What should I do first after receiving the detention notice?

The first step is to calmly verify the information: record the detention center, the alleged crime, the case-handling unit, and the start time of detention as stated in the notice, and confirm the authenticity of the document. The second step is to appoint a defense lawyer as soon as possible, and meet with the client in accordance with the law by presenting the lawyer's practice certificate, the law firm's certificate, and the power of attorney to understand the case. The third step is to organize the proof of family relationship and identity materials, and prepare the entrustment procedures. Never believe in "using connections to bail someone out". Everything should be carried out through formal legal channels, and seize the golden rescue period after detention and before the application for approval of arrest.

Q2: What materials should family members prepare when hiring a criminal lawyer?

The basic materials include: the detention notice or relevant documents informed to the family; the family's ID cards and proof of kinship (such as household registration books and marriage certificates); the basic information of the parties involved and the general circumstances of the case; if the lawyer has favorable clues such as the parties having no criminal record, surrendering voluntarily, admitting guilt and accepting punishment, these should also be provided. For lawyer's meetings, only the law firm's procedures and authorizations are needed, and there is no need for the family to prepare complex materials separately. However, the more comprehensive the information is, the sooner the lawyer can form an effective defense strategy.

Q3: How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer?

Generally, attorneys' fees are negotiated according to the stages of representation, such as investigation, review and prosecution, and first-instance trial, with no unified standard. In addition to attorneys' fees, there may be necessary expenses such as travel, photocopying, and appraisal. The specific amount depends on the suspected crime, the complexity of the case, and the scope of representation. It is recommended to have a preliminary communication about the case and the process first, clarify the composition of fees and payment milestones, and then sign an agreement to avoid disputes due to opaque quotes.

Q4: How long does it usually take from detention to being granted bail?

If the case is relatively minor and meets the conditions for bail, the lawyer may be released within one or two months after submitting a bail application or legal opinion during the investigation stage. In this case, it took about one month from criminal detention to bail. If the person is arrested, they need to seek a change through a review of the necessity of detention, which will prolong the process accordingly. After detention, the application for arrest review is generally submitted within three days (which can be extended by one to four days), and the review of the arrest takes seven days. The entire golden period is about 37 days, so the earlier the lawyer gets involved, the more beneficial it will be.

Q5: What are the risks for family members who rely on connections to secure the release of detainees?

The risks are extremely high: Firstly, the so-called "relationships" are often scams, and you may lose both money and reputation. Secondly, forging documents or attempting to interfere with the case may involve illegal activities. Thirdly, delaying formal legal representation may result in missing crucial opportunities for meetings and bail applications. Fourthly, passing on illegal information may actually worsen the situation for the client. The correct approach is to immediately hire a formal lawyer and protect your rights through legal channels such as meetings, bail applications, and detention necessity reviews. For more information, please refer to the following link:Special services and other casesA description of the special services of the column.

The above content is based on the judicial practice in the Beijing area. The facts of individual cases and the jurisdiction of the court may affect the conclusions. Welcome to consult Henglue Lawyers about specific situations.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Criminal defense legal services·Attorney Shang Jiangpeng·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. If a dispute arises, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.