Criminal attorney is a famous term for attorney who specializes in defending people who are charged of crimes. Many lawyers handle criminal defense but also have other clients as well. Some states will certify a lawyer as “criminal law specialist” based on experience and training in their respective field.
As it is said that, crime doesn’t pay but being a criminal attorney does. In any field of law there is a wide range of incomes between criminal attorneys as well as the social and economical backgrounds. But what all the criminal attorneys have in common is their training in one of the most important aspects of the society based on laws. The accusations of individuals and their criminal acts can lead to the loss of fundamental rights that a country takes seriously. Working around these rights, criminal attorneys apply legal principles and procedures in an attempt to balance the rights of the state and public with those of individuals.
The job of a criminal attorney depends on which side of the law they are on. Criminal attorneys work for a client accused of a crime, and they work in the defendant’s interest. The client of a criminal attorney is a person instead of a state so they have other responsibilities to take care of their clients. This may include arranging for bail or facilities for visiting the jail or appealing for a conviction. A criminal attorney can also work with the family of his client in order to get necessary information, witnesses or evidence. He may also ask them about the progress of the case.
A criminal attorney:
. Negotiates deals with the prosecutors for reducing charges.
. Help defendants cope with the feelings of fear and embarrassment and also reduced self esteem that charges tend to produce in many people.
. Provides a reality check to the defendant and tells the true knowledge.
. Spend time on the case that a defendant cannot afford to spend.
. Hire or manage investigators, who may be able to contradict prosecution witnesses who may change their stories at trial.
In order to become a criminal attorney certain necessary steps are required. People who want to become criminal defense lawyer should complete their degree program they should study criminal justice, sociology or psychology. Study and pass the law school admission test. Pick a criminal law for your concentration and also send your resumes for internship during school years in different areas or district courts. Once you are a graduate then you should prepare for and pass the bar examination. Completion of these steps can make you a criminal attorney but it is said that practice makes a man perfect. Find a position in litigations and it will give you an experience.
