I may be a victim
- Safety and medical care first
- Preserve originals and obtain receipts
- A report does not guarantee prosecution or repayment
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MAINLAND SHENZHEN · CRIMINAL LAW & POLICE
Criminal matters: know your
role and get the right help.
A police report, an investigation and a criminal prosecution are different stages.
Start with safety, your legal status and clear records.
Official sources linkedChecked 18 Oct 2026General information onlyMainland ShenzhenNo sensitive uploads
Safety first.
Roles matter.
Records matter.
Start with your role
Choose a card to see what to do, what to prepare and useful links.
I am questioned or suspected
- A suspicion is not a conviction
- Counsel from first interrogation or compulsory measure
- Only a lawyer may act as defence counsel during investigation
I am a witness
- Separate observation from assumption
- Do not coordinate or alter accounts
- Check language and statement accuracy
A family member is detained
- Criminal and administrative detention differ
- Family-notice rules have exceptions
- No guaranteed release, visit or outcome
This may be an administrative case
- The revised public-security law applies from 1 Jan 2026
- Administrative detention is not criminal detention
- Check the written decision and challenge route
I am not sure which route applies
- A police contact alone does not identify the procedure
- Ask for the exact document and status
- Use official channels; keep private details offline
Victim or person who lost money
Report facts and keep a usable record.
- For immediate danger call 110; for a medical emergency call 120.
- Report what happened, where and when. Distinguish what you saw from what you were told.
- Preserve original messages, transaction records and medical documents; keep a separate working copy.
- Ask for the police acceptance receipt, handling unit and an inventory of evidence handed over.
- Request interpretation if needed. Check the statement and ask for corrections before confirming it.
- If police decide not to open a criminal case, obtain the written notice and promptly check reconsideration, review or procuratorate supervision.
Useful tools & next stepsBuild my preparation checklist →Open civil-recovery guide →
If police decide not to open a case
For a police non-filing decision, a complainant may request reconsideration within 7 days after receiving the notice; a further review request is due within 7 days after receiving the reconsideration decision. A victim may also seek procuratorate filing supervision. Verify the exact document and procedure promptly; these periods are not universal deadlines for every criminal matter.
Police want to question me, or I may be a suspect
Clarify your status and seek criminal-defence help.
- Ask which authority is handling the matter, your procedural status and the reason for the summons or measure.
- Ask to retain a PRC-qualified criminal-defence lawyer; if in custody, ask that your request be passed on.
- If you have no lawyer, ask about a duty lawyer and whether you qualify for appointed legal aid.
- Tell the authority if you need interpretation or communication support; ask for the need to be recorded.
- Check each statement or have it read to you. Ask to add omissions and correct errors before signing.
- Give your lawyer the documents and receipt dates. Seek specific advice before admissions, plea documents or procedural choices.
Useful tools & next stepsBuild my preparation checklist →Find official legal help →
What the right to counsel does — and does not — mean
The right to retain defence counsel does not mean a lawyer is guaranteed to sit through police questioning. Ask counsel about access and the applicable procedure.
I have been asked to give evidence
Give your own account accurately.
- Confirm the handling unit, contact and whether you are being asked to attend as a witness.
- Make a private chronology of what you personally saw or heard; mark gaps and uncertainty.
- Keep original records intact. Do not edit evidence or agree a shared version with other witnesses.
- Tell the authority what language or communication assistance you need.
- Read the record, or ask for it to be read, and request corrections before confirming it.
- Report threats or pressure. If your own status becomes unclear or changes, seek legal advice promptly.
Useful tools & next stepsBuild my preparation checklist →Find official legal help →What if my role changes? →
Administrative penalty or criminal case?
Different legal routes. The revised public-security law took effect on 1 January 2026.
| Aspect | Public-security administrative matter | Suspected criminal offence |
|---|---|---|
| Legal route | Public-security violation; 2025 law effective 1 Jan 2026. | Suspected crime; Criminal Procedure Law. |
| Decision | Police issue the administrative punishment decision. | Only a lawful court judgment determines guilt. |
| Detention | Administrative detention is a punishment; different procedure and time rules. | Criminal detention and arrest are distinct compulsory measures. |
| Legal help | Legal advice, representations and administrative challenge procedures. | Defence from first suspect interrogation or compulsory measure; lawyer-only during investigation. |
| Language and records | Interpretation and checked interview records also have statutory protection. | Request needed interpretation; check and correct statement records. |
| Next procedure | Read the decision’s reconsideration or court route and deadlines. | Depends on the decision and stage; non-filing has specific review routes. |
If this is an administrative matter: starting points
- Ask for the authority, legal basis and exact name of the procedure or measure.
- Ask for interpretation if you do not understand the language used; check and correct the interview record.
- Use the opportunity to state your position and provide relevant facts and evidence before a punishment decision.
- Obtain the written decision. Keep its delivery date, factual basis, penalty and stated review or litigation deadlines.
- Get advice promptly on administrative reconsideration or litigation; do not assume an appeal suspends detention.
- If the case is transferred for suspected crime, recheck your status and criminal-defence rights immediately.
Typical police-led criminal procedure (simplified)
Not every matter follows the full path. Decisions, safeguards and timing depend on the case.
- 1Report / police inquiryRecord facts and identify the procedure.
- 2Case-opening decisionPolice decide whether to open a case.
- 3InvestigationEvidence collection and relevant measures.
- 4Prosecution reviewIf referred, the procuratorate reviews prosecution. Arrest review can occur during investigation.
- 5Court stageTrial and judgment, if prosecuted.
Family members & uncertain situationsDetention notices, consular help and how to clarify your role+
A family member is detained
Identify the measure, authority and available help.
- Confirm the handling authority and whether this is criminal detention, arrest, residential surveillance or administrative detention.
- Keep any notice and its receipt date; ask about the holding location and the official contact channel.
- For criminal custody, a guardian or close relative may retain defence counsel on the person’s behalf.
- Ask counsel to check notification, meeting arrangements, health needs and the actual time limits for the measure.
- If relevant, ask the authority or lawyer about consular notification and contact; consular help does not replace PRC defence counsel.
- If counsel is unaffordable or unavailable, contact 12348 about legal-aid procedures and eligibility.
Useful tools & next stepsBuild my preparation checklist →Find official legal help →
Family notification: different measures, different rules
Criminal detention: family notice is normally within 24 hours, except inability to notify or specified state-security/terrorism cases where notice would impede investigation; notice must follow when that impediment ends. Arrest: the 24-hour rule has an inability-to-notify exception. Administrative detention requires timely family notice. These are notification rules, not release or family-visit guarantees.
I am not sure which route applies
Start with the document and your immediate needs.
- Deal with immediate danger or urgent illness first: 110 for police, 120 for medical emergencies.
- Identify the handling authority and the title of every notice, summons or decision you received.
- Ask whether you are treated as a victim, witness, suspect or person in an administrative investigation.
- Keep originals and receipt dates. Do not publish case details, identity documents or evidence here.
- Call 12348 for legal-service guidance; seek a PRC-qualified lawyer for advice on your documents and status.
- Have the correct next step and any deadline checked before waiting for an informal reply or making a settlement.
Useful tools & next stepsBuild my preparation checklist →Find official legal help →
Language, foreign nationals & legal aid
Interpretation and consular arrangements
For foreign nationals, consular notification and visits follow applicable rules and treaties. Ask about these separately from retaining PRC defence counsel; consular contact does not decide the criminal case.
Duty lawyers and appointed legal aid
Legal aid depends on the statutory route and circumstances. Some unrepresented suspects or defendants must be assigned counsel, including minors and other specified groups. A duty lawyer’s legal help is different from retained or appointed defence counsel. Ask 12348 or the handling authority which route applies.
English and Spanish are editorial summaries, not official translations. The applicable Chinese text and case-specific rules control.
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Find official legal help
Public legal services · 12348
Legal aid depends on the statutory route and circumstances. Some unrepresented suspects or defendants must be assigned counsel, including minors and other specified groups. A duty lawyer’s legal help is different from retained or appointed defence counsel. Ask 12348 or the handling authority which route applies.
Call 12348For an individual criminal matter
General legal information, not advice on your case. LifeShenzhen is not a law firm. Have a PRC-qualified lawyer or the competent authority check your status, documents and deadlines.
Verify the lawyer’s practice status and criminal-defence experience. Do not pay for promises of guaranteed outcomes or unofficial influence.
Official help directory →Questions worth askingStatus, documents, interpretation and the next deadline+
- What is my procedural role, and which authority is handling this?
- What is the exact document or measure, and what date was it received?
- Which lawyer, legal-aid or interpretation route is available?
- Which originals should I keep and what evidence has been received?
- What is the next review route and its document-specific deadline?
Official sources & reading notesChecked 18 October 2026 · Chinese text controls+
English and Spanish are editorial summaries, not official translations. The applicable Chinese text and case-specific rules control.
- Criminal Procedure Law (2018 amendment) ↗SAMR · official full text · Arts. 5, 9, 12, 34–37, 75, 85, 93, 97, 110–113, 120–127, 278, 281
- Police criminal-case procedural rules (2020) ↗Ministry of Public Security · NIA official PDF · Arts. 8, 11, 169–179, 206–212, 362, 368–370
- Supreme People’s Court · foreign-national criminal procedures ↗Supreme People’s Court · 2021 Criminal Procedure Law interpretation, arts. 479–485; notification, visits, language and PRC counsel
- Public-security punishments law · effective 1 Jan 2026 ↗Shenzhen Police · Nanshan branch · 2025 revision; arts. 3, 96–101, 112–116, 121, 126, 144
- Legal Aid Law ↗Beijing Government · official full text · Arts. 23–30, 36
- Shenzhen legal aid · 12348 ↗Shenzhen Justice Bureau · Institution introduction, legal-aid services and consultation contact
- Shenzhen Police · reporting an emergency ↗Shenzhen Government / Shenzhen Police · 110 and police reporting channels; published 19 Oct 2023
- Shenzhen Emergency Medical Centre · 120 ↗Shenzhen Health Commission / Emergency Medical Centre · Official emergency telephone: 120
- Current national-law catalogue · Aug 2026 ↗SAMR · Catalogue as at 28 Aug 2026: Criminal Procedure Law last amended 2018; Legal Aid Law 2021
Decorative skyline illustration and preparation-file graphic provide visual context; they are not an official office, legal document or evidence from a case.
General legal information, not advice on your case. LifeShenzhen is not a law firm. Have a PRC-qualified lawyer or the competent authority check your status, documents and deadlines.
Common mistakes to avoid
These can create risk or make it harder to protect your rights.
- Altering or deleting original messages
- Coordinating witness accounts
- Treating a verbal summary as the full official document
- Confirming a record without checking it
- Assuming a police report guarantees repayment
- Missing a date on an official notice
- Confusing consular help with legal representation
- Uploading sensitive records to unverified websites
Prepare the facts. Protect the record. Get the right help.
Use the checklist to stay organised, then seek advice from a PRC-qualified lawyer for your case.