[Direct answer]It's not allowed to meet directly. After a person is detained in a detention center, family members are generally not allowed to visit them during the investigation stage, and only defense lawyers can meet them. According to Article 39 of the Criminal Procedure Law, if a defense lawyer requests a meeting with a detained person by presenting a lawyer's practice certificate, a law firm's certificate, and a power of attorney, the detention center shall arrange the meeting promptly, but no later than 48 hours, and the meeting shall not be monitored. Family members can confirm the detention location and the case-handling unit with the detention notice, and through the case-handling organ and the detention center, they can legally transfer necessary daily necessities and deposit money. The maximum detention period is 37 days (30 days of detention plus 7 days of review and arrest), which is a golden window for obtaining bail. It is advisable to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. For more information, please refer to the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law.Criminal defense legal servicesAndBeijing Henglu Law Firm.

I. Legal basis and interpretation of provisions

1. Article 2 of the "Regulations on Detention Centers of the People's Republic of China" (issued and implemented on March 17, 1990)

A detention center is an institution for detaining individuals who have been arrested or criminally detained in accordance with the law. Detention requires legal documents and strict supervision according to the law. Criminal detention itself is a coercive measure to ensure the progress of criminal litigation, rather than a punishment. Detainees are in an undecided state, and the visiting system for convicted prisoners is different from that for detainees. In principle, detainees are not allowed to meet with their families. Their external contacts are limited to lawyer visits and communication and transfer of items under legal supervision. Understanding this institutional attribute, it's not hard for families to understand that "not being able to see the person" is the legal status of the coercive measure, rather than the case-handling authorities deliberately making things difficult for them.

2. Article 39 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (amended on October 26, 2018)

Defence lawyers can meet and communicate with detained criminal suspects; detention centers shall arrange meetings in a timely manner, not later than 48 hours; and defence lawyers' meetings with detainees shall not be monitored. This is the main channel for families to obtain information about their detained relatives: after the meeting, lawyers can convey to families the living conditions and legitimate concerns of the clients in the detention center, and at the same time understand the suspected charges and interrogation situation, and evaluate the possibility of bail and the direction of defence. Meetings in three types of cases require the permission of the investigative organ, which is a statutory exception, and is not applicable to ordinary criminal cases.

3. Practical adjudication guidelines (practical aspects of meetings and communication)

In practice, it is a common practice for family members to be unable to meet detainees during the investigation stage; even when the case enters the review and prosecution or trial stage, non-lawyer defenders still need to obtain permission from the court or the procuratorate to meet with them. Family members can legally transfer clothes and money through the channels announced by the detention center, subject to the specific regulations of the detention facility. The most common pitfall is falling for scams involving "paying money to meet someone" or "bribing officials to secure release", which not only results in financial losses but also delays the opportunity to hire a lawyer. The standard approach is to immediately hire a lawyer to meet with the detainee with the three legal documents, while maintaining material support and emotional communication through legal channels, and arranging visits after the judgment takes effect in accordance with the law.

II. Henglue Lawyer's Real Case (Detailed Review)

Review of the case:On December 20, 2025, W * was criminally detained for the crime of operating a gambling house and was detained in a detention center. He started working as a chat streamer on an overseas online gambling platform, and gambling advertisements and recharge entry points were embedded into the live streaming interface. His earnings and the platform's funds were all counted as illegal income. Before the lawyer got involved, the family had no information about his detention and immediately entrusted Beijing Henglu Law Firm to handle the case.Zhu GuiyingThe lawyer acts as the defender.

The focus of the controversy:First, regarding the status and role of W in the joint crime, can he/she be identified as an accomplice? Second, can the need for continuous treatment and low social danger support bail pending trial? Third, should his/her limited compensation be generally regarded as illegal income?

Our position and the position of the other party are as follows:The family members hope to meet with the lawyer to understand the case and strive for his release. However, the case-handling organ detained him on suspicion of operating a gambling house, and counted the streamer's remuneration and the platform's funds as illegal income, which was an overly severe judgment of the circumstances of the case.

Attorney's Strategy and Legal Opinions:After the meeting, Attorney Zhu Guiyin verified that W* had a low status, only provided assistance in attracting customers, and did not participate in the profit-sharing. He was an accomplice. After being arrested, he truthfully confessed and expressed his guilt and remorse. He suffers from pituitary tumors and other diseases that require continuous treatment and is not suitable for long-term detention. He is a first-time offender with low social dangerousness. The lawyer submitted a "Bail Application" in accordance with Article 67 of the Criminal Procedure Law and Article 27 of the Criminal Law, and arranged for a guarantor and ensured that W* would appear in court promptly when summoned.

The court's reasoning and the outcome of the case:After reviewing and adopting the defense attorney's main opinions, on January 19, 2026, after being detained for 30 days, W* was legally granted bail and released from the detention center. The family went from "not knowing what was happening inside" to continuously monitoring the progress and cooperating with the defense through lawyers, demonstrating the value of lawyers' visits in providing information and procedural guidance during detention.

This case is handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.Zhu GuiyingThe lawyer (practice license number: 11101202011246828, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

III. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When can family members visit their detained relatives?

After the verdict takes effect and the detainees enter the stage of serving their sentences, their relatives can be arranged to visit them according to the regulations; before the verdict takes effect, relatives are generally not allowed to meet them, and can only meet them through defense lawyers to convey information. If the case is in the investigation, review and prosecution, or trial stage, relatives are advised to entrust lawyers to meet them to understand the case and the situation in the detention center, rather than waiting or seeking informal channels, so as to avoid being deceived and delaying the opportunity for defense.

Q2: What are the requirements for a lawyer's meeting, and how long will it take to arrange one?

Defence lawyers can request a meeting with the detainee by presenting their lawyer's practice certificate, the law firm's certificate, and the power of attorney. The detention center shall arrange the meeting promptly, and the meeting shall not be monitored. After the family members entrust the lawyer, the lawyer can usually complete the first meeting within a few days. For three types of cases, including endangering national security and terrorist activities, the meeting requires the permission of the investigative organ, which is a statutory exception and does not apply to ordinary criminal cases.

Q3: Some people say that you can just pay money to get in and meet him/her. Can I believe that?

I can't believe this. The objects and procedures of meetings in detention centers are clearly stipulated by law. Any claims of "arranging family meetings by paying money" or "rescuing detainees and securing their release" do not comply with legal procedures and are suspected of fraud. If family members have already made payments, they should keep the transfer records and chat logs, report the case to the police in time, and switch to the legal channel of entrusting lawyers to conduct meetings to avoid losing both money and people.

Q4: How can I deliver daily necessities and money to my relatives?

The items shall be transferred in accordance with the law through channels announced by the case-handling authorities or detention centers: clothing and necessary daily necessities shall be handled at designated windows in accordance with regulations, and the money shall be deposited into the detainees' accounts. All these shall comply with supervision requirements and shall not contain concealed items or illegal items. The specific time and procedures of detention centers in different regions vary. It is recommended to consult the detention facilities by phone first and follow their regulations. Do not entrust unrelated persons to deliver the items on your behalf.

Q5: What else can family members do during the days they are waiting for the meeting?

Firstly, keep the detention notice properly and confirm the suspected crime and the place of detention; Secondly, hire a lawyer as soon as possible to grasp the golden rescue period of up to 37 days; Thirdly, collect materials conducive to bail, such as fixed residence, proof of employment, medical records, and a description of family circumstances; Fourthly, maintain normal communication with the case-handling organ, do not interfere with the testimony, and do not contact the co-defendants.

IV. Suggestions for Protecting Rights and Interests

  • After receiving the detention notice, confirm the detention location and the case-handling unit as soon as possible, and hire a lawyer to meet with the detainee as soon as possible.
  • The lawyer's meeting shall be arranged within 48 hours at the latest, and the family should strive to apply for bail within the golden period of 37 days.
  • Living supplies and money are transferred through legal channels in the detention center, in accordance with the regulations of the facility, and no prohibited items are brought in.
  • Be vigilant against the tactics of "paying to meet someone" and "rescuing someone from trouble", keep evidence and report the case to the police in time.
  • Don't delay seeking legal help just because you're impatient. The earlier a lawyer gets involved, the more information and procedural options you'll have.

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