The time limit for holding a criminal suspect in custody during investigation after arrest shall not exceed two months. If the case is complex and cannot be concluded within the time limit, an extension of one month may be allowed with the approval of the People’s Procuratorate at the next higher level.
If due to special reasons, it is not appropriate to hand over a particularly grave and complex case for trial even within a relatively long period of time, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate shall submit a report to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for approval of postponing the hearing of the case.
With respect to the following cases, if investigation cannot be concluded within the time limit specified, an extension of two months may be allowed upon approval or decision by the People’s Procuratorate of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government:
- grave and complex cases in outlying areas where traffic is most inconvenient;
- grave cases that involve criminal gangs;
- grave and complex cases that involve people who commit crimes from one place to another; and
- grave and complex cases that involve various localities and for which it is difficult to obtain evidence.
If in the case of a criminal suspect who may be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of at least ten years, investigation of the case can still not be concluded upon expiration of the extended time limit, another extension of two months may be allowed upon approval or decision by the People’s Procuratorate of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.