If you are a foreigner involved in a criminal case in China, whether a suspect or victim, you have all the rights that a Chinese citizen may have according to the Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China and will be treated equally as a Chinese citizen. The following information will be helpful if you need a Chinese lawyer to represent you in a criminal case.
Who may engage a lawyer?
According to the applicable laws of the People’s Republic of China, a suspect who is a foreigner or stateless person or their custodians, closes relatives, or embassy or consulate of their country in China may engage Chinese lawyers to represent the suspect in a criminal case.
What documents are required to engage a lawyer?
If a suspect who is a foreigner or stateless person intends to engage a lawyer, they need to provide their ID documents, such as visa or passport, and sign a power of attorney and an engagement agreement.
If a suspect who is a foreigner or stateless person is held in detention by the police, their embassy or consulate or close relatives may engage a lawyer according to the same procedure, provided that an accredited certificate of close relationship must be provided in case of engagement by close relatives.
