中国涉外刑事辩护实务（三）：家属应对篇

本文作者：王馨仝、曹妍

作为中国涉外刑事实务的第三篇，本文将介绍嫌刑事犯罪的外国人外国人在中国被采取刑事强制措施后，家属应该如何了解案件情况、如何委托律师，如何有效寻求法律帮助的问题。

外国人在中国涉嫌刑事犯罪后，一旦被侦查机关采取强制措施，因其并非中国公民，不熟悉中国的法律法规，往往会不知所措。而外国籍当事人的家属，可能身在国外，在联系不到涉案家人或被通知其家人已被有关机关带走调查后，往往也会心急如焚，不知所措。本期文章将重点讲述家属应当如何应对突如其来的涉外刑事案件。

一、如何了解案件情况

根据《刑事诉讼法》的规定，刑事强制措施是指办案机关为了保证刑事诉讼的顺利进行，依法对涉嫌刑事案件的当事人所采取的在一定期限内暂时限制或剥夺其人身自由的措施，包括拘传、取保候审、监视居住、拘留、逮捕五种。在外籍当事人被采取前述刑事强制措施后，其家属可以通过以下方式获悉案件情况：

（一）通过办案机关获悉

中国法律规定，对犯罪嫌疑人执行拘留（逮捕）后，除无法通知的情形以外，应当在拘留（逮捕）后二十四小时以内，制作拘留（逮捕）通知书，通知被拘留（逮捕）人的家属。拘留（逮捕）通知书应当写明拘留（逮捕）原因和羁押处所。因此，外国籍当事人家属可以通过办案机关了解其家人的涉案情况。此处的办案机关不仅包括负责侦查的公安机关，也包括负责羁押的看守所。公安机关作为最了解案件情况的部门，家属可以向其了解外国籍当事人涉嫌的罪名、羁押的地点及案件的进程等情况；而通过看守所，家属则还可以了解外国籍当事人的身体状况、生活情况等信息。

（二）通过国籍国驻华使、领事馆获悉

在采取刑事强制措施后，省级公安机关根据有关规定，会将外国籍犯罪嫌疑人的姓名、性别、入境时间、护照或者证件号码、案件发生的时间、地点，涉嫌犯罪的主要事实，已采取的强制措施及法律依据等，通知该外国人所属国家的驻华使馆、领事馆，同时报公安部。因此，家属可以与其所属国家的驻华使馆、领事馆联系，获取该外籍当事人涉案的相关情况。

（三）通过外国籍当事人被采取刑事强制措施前的工作单位获悉

外国籍当事人被采取刑事强制措施前有工作单位的，其工作单位有时也会掌握外国籍当事人涉案的相关情况，例如，该当事人是何时被何单位带走调查的、其涉嫌的罪名等。故而，外国籍当事人的家属在能够联系到其家人工作单位的情况下，也可以通过其家人的工作单位获悉案件相关情况。

二、及时委托律师的重要性

中国涉外刑事案件只能委托中国律师代理，及时委托律师维护当事人的合法权益至关重要。犯罪嫌疑人自被侦查机关第一次讯问或者采取强制措施之日起，有权委托辩护人。在刑事案件中，律师可以向侦查机关了解犯罪嫌疑人涉嫌的罪名、会见犯罪嫌疑人、与犯罪嫌疑人和侦查机关沟通交流案件情况、申请变更强制措施等；在案件进入审查起诉阶段，律师可以查阅、复制、摘抄案卷材料，及时与检察机关提出犯罪嫌疑人无罪、罪轻等辩护意见等；在审判阶段，律师可以出庭参与法庭调查、提出有利于被告人的辩护意见，在当事人对一审判决结果不服时，协助其书写上诉状进行上诉等。越早委托律师介入案件，越有助于争取案件好结果。

因此，对于涉外刑事案件，在当事人对中国的刑事诉讼程序及其所享有的权利、应履行的义务都不熟悉的情况下，及时委托律师向其提供法律帮助、抓住一切机会保障其依法享有的权利、提出对其有利的辩护意见是非常必要的。

三、家属如何委托律师

建立委托关系是律师介入刑事案件的关键步骤。根据中国法律规定，涉外刑事案件可以委托律师的主体包括犯罪嫌疑人、被告人本人及其监护人、近亲属以及外国籍当事人的国籍国驻华使领馆。前述有权为涉嫌刑事犯罪的外国籍当事人委托律师的主体，应当委托具有中华人民共和国律师资格并依法取得执业证书的律师。作为涉案外国籍当事人的家属，可以通过以下方式为其亲人委托律师：

（一）涉案外国籍当事人的监护人、近亲属直接委托律师

在押的外籍犯罪嫌疑人、被告人在中国境内有监护人或近亲属，又能够通过关系证明文件确定其监护人或近亲属身份的，可以由他们直接签署授权委托书，聘请中国律师辩护。

如果外国籍当事人的监护人、近亲属在中国境外，其所提供的与当事人关系的证明，必须经过所在公证机关证明，所在国中央外交主管机关或者其授权机关认证，并经中华人民共和国驻该国使领馆认证，或者履行中华人民共和国与该所在国订立的有关条约中规定的证明手续，但中国与该国之间有互免认证协定的除外。[1]

（二）通过国籍国驻华使、领事馆委托律师

若亲属与涉案嫌疑人、被告人的亲属关系证明的提供确实困难，或者担心耗时太久不利于律师的及时介入，因国籍国驻华使、领事馆系有权为外国籍当事人委托律师的主体，故家属可以与其国籍国驻华使、领事馆沟通，请国籍国驻华使、领事馆为外国籍当事人委托律师[2]。实践中，有的使领馆可以直接为本国嫌疑人出具委托函，并以使馆名义出具《律师申请会见信函》，协助办理手续的情况。使领馆有时也可以通过领事会见让当事人直接签署委托书。

（三）特殊情况的特殊处理

在某些涉外刑事案件中，也出现过因为家属在国外，确实无法提供部分委托证明手续的问题。经承办律师与办案机关的积极沟通协调，最终得以简化处理。因此，委托代理过程中所遇到的具体问题，可以直接与律师团队沟通，协商解决问题的方法。

上述内容是我们结合办案经验所提炼出的家属应对刑事案件时可能面临的共性问题，希望能够为涉外刑事案件的家属提供思路指引，缓解其突然应对不同法域中的刑事案件而产生的焦急、无措的情绪，并使当事人及时获得有效法律帮助，尽早争取到最佳的案件处理结果。

Guidelines for Families to follow in Chinese Criminal Cases-China’s Foreign-related Criminal Defense Practice (Part III)

As the third article in the series of China’s foreign-related criminal defense practice, this article offers insights into how family members of foreign suspects involved in Chinese criminal cases can navigate the legal proceedings, retain a lawyer, and effectively seek legal assistance.

When foreigners are suspected of committing crimes in China and subjected to compulsory measures by the investigating authorities, their family members often feel bewildered due to unfamiliarity with Chinese laws. This article aims to guide foreign suspects’ family members on how to handle sudden criminal cases in China.

I. Learning about the Case

According to the provisions of China’s Criminal Procedure Law, criminal compulsory measures encompass temporary restrictions or deprivation of personal freedom, implemented by the case-handling organs. These measures are designed to facilitate the orderly advancement of criminal proceedings against individuals suspected of criminal offenses, including forced appearance, release upon bail pending trial, residential surveillance, criminal detention, and arrest. Following the imposition of these criminal compulsory measures on foreign individuals, their family members can acquire information about the case through the following methods:

1.1 Through the Case-handling Organs

In accordance with the provisions of China's Criminal Procedure Law, following the detention or arrest of a criminal suspect, a detention (arrest) notice is required to be issued within 24 hours, unless notification is impracticable. This notice is then communicated to the detained (arrested) individual's family, providing details on the reasons for detention (arrest) and the location of custody. Consequently, the family members of foreign suspects can seek information about the case through the relevant authorities overseeing it.

These case-handling organs encompass not only the public security organs responsible for the investigation but also the detention center where the suspects are held. Given that the case-handling organs possess the most comprehensive information about the case, the public security organs can inform family members with details about the alleged crimes of the foreigners, the detention facility's location, and the ongoing progress of the case. Additionally, through the detention centers, family members can obtain information concerning the physical and living conditions of the foreigners.

1.2 Through the National Embassy or Consulate in China

After taking compulsory measures, the provincial public security organs shall, in accordance with relevant regulations, notify the Embassy or Consulate of the foreign national's home country in China, as well as report to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. The notification comprises essential details, including the foreign suspect's name, gender, entry time, passport or identification number, the time and location of the alleged crime, critical facts related to the suspected offense, the compulsory measures implemented, and the legal basis. Thus, family members can reach out to the Embassy or Consulate to obtain relevant case information.

1.3 Through the Workplace of the Foreign Suspect

If a foreign suspect held employment prior to the imposition of criminal compulsory measures, the workplace may also receive notifications containing some information about the suspect’s involvement in the case. The information may include information such as the time and law enforcement agency responsible for apprehending the suspect involved for investigation, as well as the charges under suspicion. Consequently, if family members are able to establish contact with the foreign suspect's workplace, they may acquire additional information directly from the workplace.

II. Importance of Retaining Lawyers Timely

Chinese law mandates that only Chinese lawyers with the requisite qualifications and a valid practice certificate are eligible to practice law in China. Retaining a lawyer promptly is essential for safeguarding the legal rights and interests of the individuals who involved in criminal cases. Suspects possesses the right to entrust defense lawyers from the initial interrogation or the implementation of coercive measures by the investigating organs.

In criminal cases, lawyers play a crucial role by gathering information about case from the investigation organs, meeting with the suspect, applying for bail, etc.. As cases progress to examination and prosecution stage, lawyers can review all the evidence, apply for bail, engage in discussions and negotiations with the prosecutor, and seek “non-prosecution” result. During the trial stage, lawyers can defend the accused in court and put forward defense opinions that are beneficial to the defendants. When defendants cannot accept the judgment of the first instance court, lawyers can help the client to appeal and fight for their rights. The earlier a lawyer is engaged, the better the chances of achieving a favorable outcome.

Therefore, for foreign-related criminal cases, when the suspects or defendants are unfamiliar with China’s criminal proceedings, their rights, and obligations, it is imperative to entrust competent lawyers in time to provide legal assistance, so that lawyers can seek every available opportunity to safeguard that their statutory rights and present defense arguments that are most favorable to them.

III. Methods for Engaging Lawyers in China

Establishing a client-lawyer relationship is a key step for a lawyer’s participation in a criminal case. According to Chinese law, entities that can engage a lawyer for foreign-related criminal cases include the suspect, the defendant or their guardian, close relatives, and the national Embassy or Consulate of the foreign suspects or defendants themselves. The aforementioned entities shall appoint lawyers who are duly qualified to practice law in China.

Family members can engage lawyers for their relatives involved in a foreign-related criminal case in China through the following methods:

3.1 Guardian or Close Relatives can Entrust Lawyers

If the detained foreigners have guardians or close relatives in China, and the identity of their guardians or close relatives can be verified through relationship certificate documents, they can directly execute engagement letter to engage a Chinese lawyer.

In cases where the guardians or close relatives of foreign suspects or defendants are outside China, the verification of their relationship with the foreign suspects or defendants shall be attested by the notary office of the country where they are located, authenticated by the central diplomatic authority of the country where they are located or its authorized agency, and shall be approved by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in that country. Alternatively, the verification process should adhere to the certification formalities outlined in relevant treaties between the People's Republic of China and the country in which the suspects or defendants are situated, unless there is an agreement on mutual exemption of authentication between the two countries.

3.2 Engagement Through the National Embassy or Consulate

Family members facing challenges in providing authorization e documents of relationship may look for assistance from the national Embassy or Consulate. Embassies or Consulates have the authority to directly issue a letter of engagement for their nationals and may also ask the suspect the sign the power of attorney letter directly during the consular visit.

3.3 Special Arrangement for Special Situations

In certain foreign-related criminal cases, family members may face difficulties providing certain authorization documents or entrustment certifications. By actively communicating and coordinating with the case-handling organs, these issues can be simplified and resolved through negotiation. So, for any specific issues encountered during the process of engaging lawyers, you can directly communicate with the legal team to seek advice and solutions.

The above contents are derived from our experience in handling foreign-relate criminal cases and aims to offer guidance to family members of foreign suspects or defendants dealing with common issues in cases. We hope this article will help to alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty that may arise during the handling of criminal cases in China’s legal jurisdictions and enables the clients to receive effective legal assistance promptly, thus achieving the best possible case outcome.

注释：

[1]《刑诉法解释》第四百八十六条 外国籍当事人从中华人民共和国领域外寄交或者托交给中国律师或者中国公民的委托书，以及外国籍当事人的监护人、近亲属提供的与当事人关系的证明，必须经所在国公证机关证明，所在国中央外交主管机关或者其授权机关认证，并经中华人民共和国驻该国使领馆认证，或者履行中华人民共和国与该所在国订立的有关条约中规定的证明手续，但我国与该国之间有互免认证协定的除外。

[2] 除前述《刑诉法解释》第四百八十五条第二款的规定外，外国籍当事人的国籍国驻华使领馆为涉嫌犯罪的外国籍当事人委托律师的法律依据还有《维也纳领事关系公约》。《维也纳领事关系公约》第三十六条第一款第三项规定：“领事官员有权探访受监禁、羁押或拘禁之派遣国国民，与之交谈或通讯，并代聘其法律代表。”