[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, let's clarify one thing first: there are no officially released rankings of criminal law firms, and so-called "law firms specializing in criminal cases" should not be judged solely based on rankings. What really exist are law firms where teams or lawyers focus primarily on criminal practice. There are three ways to judge this: first, look at the practice direction and division of labor of the team to see if there is a dedicated criminal defense team; second, look at the concentration of case types. You can search for the name of the law firm and the lawyer on the China Judgments Online website to observe the proportion of criminal cases; third, look at the actual performance at the litigation stage, such as whether they can timely meet with clients, apply for bail pending trial, and review the necessity of detention, as well as strive for non-prosecution at the review and prosecution stage. According to Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (amended in 2018 and implemented on October 26, 2018), suspects have the right to engage a defense attorney from the day they are interrogated or subjected to coercive measures. Therefore, the professional direction of the law firm is more worthy of attention than the rankings on the list.

1. Problem background and typical scenarios

The family members want to find a law firm that "only handles criminal cases" because they believe that specialists in a particular field are more competent. However, in reality, many law firms advertise themselves as "specializing in criminal law", but in fact, they handle all kinds of cases. There are also teams that focus on criminal law while also dealing with corporate law and compliance. To identify the authenticity, we need to not only look at their promotional materials, but also evaluate their case handling and team capabilities.

II. Key points of contention

First, is the statement that "only handle criminal cases" too absolute? Most law firms have criminal defense teams under their umbrella. Second, how can we quantify and verify the concentration of case types? Third, at which stages do the capabilities of professional criminal defense teams become evident? Fourth, what are the methods of entrusting and collaborating on cases across different regions?

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers

To determine whether a lawyer truly specializes in criminal law, Henglue Law Firm recommends using three yardsticks. First, team and division of labor: Comprehensive law firms often have dedicated criminal defense teams. It's more meaningful to check the team's size, division of labor, and the managing attorney's years of practice than to look at the overall scale. Second, case concentration and actual results: Search for the law firm and lawyers on the China Judgments Online website to count the number of criminal cases, the distribution of charges, and the handling results. The defense effect of criminal cases is also reflected in factors such as non-arrest, non-prosecution, bail pending trial, and sentencing results, which often better reflect the case-handling ability than the judgment itself. Third, response capacity at key stages: The speed of meeting with clients during the investigation stage and the application and argumentation level of bail pending trial and detention necessity review are hard indicators to evaluate criminal defense expertise. Taking a case of intentional homicide handled by our firm as an example: The defendant, Zhang Daqiang, drove his car into a laboratory, causing one death and two injuries. After accepting the victim's family's commission, Attorney Liu Liqiang carefully reviewed all the case files including physical evidence, documentary evidence, witness statements, the defendant's confession, appraisal opinions, on-site inspection records, and audiovisual materials. He refuted the defendant's arguments about subjective intent, voluntary surrender, the victim's fault, and the nature of the charge one by one, and argued that the defendant should be convicted of intentional homicide and given a heavier punishment. The court accepted his opinion and sentenced the defendant to fixed-term imprisonment up to death for intentional homicide. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Liu LiqiangThe lawyer (practice license number: 11101200910454358, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent. The case demonstrates the professional ability in reviewing the case files and evidence in major homicide cases.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

The first step is to verify the lawyer's and law firm's practice information on the Lawyer Practice Integrity Information Platform. The second step is to search for the type and outcome of criminal cases through the Judgments Online platform. The third step is to inquire about the composition of the criminal defense team, the lead lawyer, and the phased plan during the interview. The fourth step is to confirm the collaboration mode for cases in other regions and clarify the arrangements for meetings and communication. Main legal basis: Articles 34, 38, and 39 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (amended in 2018 and implemented on October 26, 2018) regarding the provisions on entrusting defense and lawyers' meetings and case file review; relevant provisions of the Lawyer Law of the People's Republic of China on lawyers' practice norms; the specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws, regulations, and judicial rulings.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Reminder

Here are three pieces of advice for choosing a criminal defense specialty: 1. There’s no official ranking list—focus on team division and case concentration. 2. Check actual performance on the Judicial Document Network, not promotional materials. 3. The ability to conduct meetings and secure bail at key investigative stages are the real indicators of competence. For those interested in criminal defense, you can learn more viaCriminal defense and criminal case filingThe service provides a comprehensive solution, which can be combined with the involvement of corporate personnel in legal cases and compliance issuesIntellectual property protection and corporate lawFor reference, please refer to the section on cross-regional case collaboration and procedural reliefSpecial servicesColumn.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are there really law firms that only handle criminal cases?

There are law firms and teams that specialize in criminal law, but most comprehensive law firms operate in the form of criminal defense teams. There's no need to blindly believe in the absolute concept of "only handling criminal cases". What really matters is the team's concentration on criminal cases and their actual achievements.

Q2: How can I check which criminal cases a law firm has handled?

On the China Judgments Online website, users can search for law firms and lawyers by name and case type to obtain statistics on the number of criminal cases, the charges involved, and the outcomes of the cases. The information can also be verified by referring to the typical cases disclosed on the law firm's official website.

Q3: Are professional criminal defense lawyers expensive?

The fees are charged according to the stage and complexity of the case, which are usually higher than those of ordinary civil cases. Clients can hire lawyers in stages to control costs, and those who are financially struggling and meet the eligibility criteria can apply for legal aid.

Q4: How long will it take to get involved in the case handling?

After completing the entrustment procedures, you can apply for a meeting, which will generally be arranged within one to three working days. Applications for bail pending trial and reviews of the necessity of detention should be submitted as early as possible during the investigation and review of the arrest stage.

Q5: How can family members make a wise choice without regretting it later?

First, verify the practitioner's qualifications and case performance, then conduct a face-to-face interview to confirm the lead lawyer and the proposed plan. Be wary of institutions that promise guaranteed results, use low prices to attract clients, or fail to sign formal engagement contracts.

The above questions and answers are mainly based on the judicial practice in Beijing. There may be differences in the adjudication standards in different regions. It is recommended to consult a professional lawyer based on the specific circumstances of the case.

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. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.