Legal analysis: whether the criminal appeal submitted by lawyers needs the signature of the defendant needs to be verified and determined according to the actual situation. Since the right of appeal belongs to the defendant, the signature of the appeal should be signed by the parties. However, if the defendant has authorized the lawyer to appeal and has the right to sign, the lawyer can sign the contract and submit the appeal according to the authorization. For the specific situation, please ask relevant parties to verify and determine according to the actual situation and relevant laws and regulations.

Legal basis: Article 216th of the Civil Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). Defendants, private prosecutors and their legal representatives have the right to appeal to the people's court at the next higher level in writing or orally if they refuse to accept the judgment or ruling of first instance of local people's courts at all levels. Defenders and close relatives of the defendant may appeal with the consent of the defendant. The parties to an incidental civil action and their legal representatives may appeal to the part of the incidental civil action in the judgment or ruling of first instance of the local people's courts at all levels. The defendant shall not be deprived of the right to appeal under any pretext.