In-depth analysis on Chinese criminal law, criminal procedure, and practical guidance for foreign nationals, their families, and overseas counsel. Each article references the relevant Chinese statutes and judicial interpretations with links to official sources.
China's criminal detention timeline explained: from initial summons through formal arrest. Essential for families of foreign nationals detained in China.
Foreign nationals can apply for release on bail pending trial (qu bao hou shen) in China. Eligibility criteria, guarantor requirements, and how to maximise succ...
Understanding Chinese lawyer visitation rights: when a defence lawyer can meet a detained suspect, documents required, and handling access obstacles.
When a foreign national is arrested in China, police must notify the consulate. The legal framework under the Vienna Convention and Chinese law explained.
China imposes some of the world's harshest drug penalties. Sentencing thresholds, death penalty exposure, and defence strategies for foreign nationals.
Fraud-related criminal offences under Chinese law — including basic fraud, contract fraud, and fundraising fraud — with sentencing ranges and judicial interpret...
Chinese sentencing principles explained: statutory ranges, mitigating factors, victim forgiveness, and the plea leniency system (ren zui ren fa).
The criminal appeal process explained: the 10-day deadline, grounds for appeal, the prohibition on sentence increase, and what appellate courts review.
Capital punishment in China: death-eligible crimes, mandatory Supreme Court review, and the death sentence with a two-year reprieve (si huan).
The right to counsel under Chinese criminal procedure — when a suspect can appoint a lawyer, what the lawyer can do, and how to exercise this right effectively.
China's illegal evidence exclusion rules: when confessions, witness testimony, or physical evidence can be challenged under CPL Article 56 and SPC provisions.
The distinction between criminal detention (xing shi ju liu) and formal arrest (dai bu) — how they differ, time limits, and procedural requirements.
What rights do crime victims have under Chinese criminal law? Filing criminal complaints, participating in proceedings, and claiming compensation.
China's statute of limitations for criminal offences — the 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, and 20-year periods under Criminal Law Articles 87–89.
Justifiable defence (zheng dang fang wei), necessity (jin ji bi xian), and other justifiable acts — boundaries and recent judicial guidance from 2020.
China recently lowered the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 for certain serious offences. What foreign families with children in China must understa...
China has two parallel detention systems: administrative (PSAPL) and criminal (CPL). How they differ, who can order each, and the rights available in each syste...
The PSAPL governs most minor offences in China. What conduct it covers, penalties available, police powers, and procedural rights.
China is one of the most active users of Interpol Red Notices. What a Red Notice means, how to challenge one, and extradition risk.
China has prisoner transfer treaties with 20+ countries. How transfer works, eligibility, the application process, and practical considerations.
Step-by-step guide to what happens when a foreign national is caught with drugs in China: from initial detention through sentencing and deportation.
China's evolving regulation of synthetic drugs — methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, fentanyl analogues — and what foreign nationals must know.
Practical defence strategies for foreign nationals facing drug trafficking charges: challenging quantity, lack of knowledge, entrapment, and cooperation.
Despite legalisation trends elsewhere, cannabis remains strictly illegal in China. What happens if a foreigner is caught with marijuana.
What happens if a foreign traveller is arrested at a Chinese airport for drug-related offences — customs procedures, rights, and immediate steps.
Fraud charges against foreign nationals — types of fraud under the Criminal Law, investigation procedures, sentencing exposure, and defence strategies.
Chinese authorities increasingly pursue cross-border fraud. Jurisdictional issues, investigation methods, and what foreign defendants face.
China's crackdown on telecom fraud centres has ensnared some foreign nationals. How these operations are investigated and what to do if implicated.
The line between civil breach of contract and criminal contract fraud is thin in China. How prosecutors distinguish them and what it means for foreign businessp...
China aggressively prosecutes pyramid selling (chuan xiao). How foreign nationals involved in MLM businesses can face criminal liability.
When a foreign national is charged with intentional assault (gu yi shang hai) — legal definition, sentencing tiers, victim compensation, and defence.
Affray (ju zhong dou ou) and picking quarrels (xun xin zi shi) are commonly charged after altercations involving foreigners. What these charges mean.
When can a foreign national successfully claim justifiable defence (zheng dang fang wei)? Legal standards, evidence, and the 2020 SPC guidance.
Foreign teachers face unique legal vulnerabilities. What happens when a teacher is accused of a crime — employment, visa, and defence considerations.
Most visa overstays result in administrative penalties. But when can overstay or illegal entry lead to criminal charges for a foreign national?
Working on the wrong visa in China can lead to detention, fines, and deportation. When do immigration violations cross into criminal territory?
The critical differences between deportation (qu zhu chu jing), extradition (yin du), and repatriation — and how each affects a foreign national's case.
Chinese authorities can impose exit bans (xian zhi chu jing) on persons involved in criminal investigations. What this means and how to challenge it.
A realistic overview of conditions inside Chinese detention centres: food, communication, medical care, visitation rights, and what families should know.
What happens during a Chinese police interrogation, how long it can last, the suspect's rights, and common mistakes foreign nationals make under pressure.
Foreign defendants have the right to an interpreter. But what if the interpretation is inadequate? Legal standards and practical solutions.
Families abroad need to act fast. How to find, vet, and retain an English-speaking criminal lawyer in China — from power of attorney to payment.
To authorise a lawyer, foreign families must provide a power of attorney. The required form, notarisation, authentication, and expediting the process.
Practical guidance on sending money, clothing, books, and other items to a foreign national held in a Chinese detention centre — what is permitted.
China treats smuggling as a serious criminal offence. What constitutes smuggling, common scenarios involving foreigners, and potential penalties.
Foreigners sometimes face criminal charges for attempting to export cultural relics. What the law prohibits and how to avoid inadvertent violations.
China imposes lengthy prison sentences for wildlife trafficking. Foreign nationals prosecuted for attempting to take wildlife products out of China.
Theft (dao qie) and robbery (qiang jie) charges against foreign nationals — legal definitions, sentencing thresholds, and defence strategies.
China criminalises both drunk driving (zui jia) and dangerous driving (wei xian jia shi). Blood alcohol limits, penalties, and procedure for foreigners.
When a foreign national faces sexual assault allegations in China — how investigations proceed, forensic evidence, and defence rights.
China's expanded national security laws create risk for foreign nationals. What constitutes espionage and the special procedures that apply.
China has aggressive cybercrime laws. What happens when a foreign national is accused of computer-related crimes under the Cybersecurity Law.
Many foreign detainees expect their embassy to secure release. A realistic explanation of consular powers, limitations, and what families should request.
How consular officers visit detained nationals: scheduling, what happens during the visit, confidentiality, and coordination with defence lawyers.
Should a foreign national accept a court-appointed lawyer or retain private counsel? Differences in quality, language ability, and zealousness.
A detailed overview of Chinese prison conditions for foreign nationals: facilities, work, medical care, family communication, and sentence reduction.
Chinese law allows sentence reduction (jian xing) and parole (jia shi) for well-behaved prisoners. How foreign nationals can qualify.
A criminal conviction in China has lasting consequences: visa bans, employment restrictions, and implications for travel to other countries.
Practical information about Guangzhou's detention centres: locations, contact procedures, accepted items, and how our lawyers navigate each facility.
An overview of Shenzhen's criminal court system: which courts handle foreign defendant cases, typical timelines, and courtroom procedure.
Foreign nationals in Dongguan, Foshan, Zhuhai, and the Pearl River Delta — criminal defence services across Guangdong's manufacturing heartland.
The Greater Bay Area's unique legal landscape: how Guangdong courts handle foreign defendant cases and cross-border considerations with HK and Macau.
When an international student is arrested in China: the university's role, how parents abroad can help, visa implications, and the criminal process.
When a foreign executive or business traveller is arrested in China: crisis management, engaging counsel, employer coordination, and consular strategy.
From arrest to final judgment: a realistic timeline for criminal cases involving foreign nationals, including typical durations at each stage.
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