With a Top Criminal Defense Attorney You May Avoid Life in Prison

If you’ve ever watched a crime series on TV, you probably have a good idea of what a criminal defense attorney does all day, right? Well, maybe not. While criminal defense does involve some courtroom work, most of the tasks a criminal lawyer engages in don’t take place in the courtroom. Read on to learn all about criminal lawyers and what they do.

What are the steps to becoming a criminal defense attorney?

First, you have to attend and graduate from a four-year college or university. Your major isn’t important. After you earn an undergraduate degree, you’ll need to apply to, be accepted at and then graduate from an accredited law school. You can only practice law after passing the bar in the state where you intend to work.

What things does an attorney for criminal do other than appear in court?

The majority of a criminal defense lawyer’s tasks take place outside the courtroom. Most spend substantial amounts of time conducting legal research, writing briefs, meeting with clients, negotiating with opposing counsel and working with investigators.

Where can I find criminal defense lawyer jobs?

It varies. Many white-collar criminal defense lawyers work in medium-size firms. There are also large state-wide public defenders offices that traditionally hire large numbers of attorneys. Alternatively, there are several quite respected solo practitioners and small practices that concentrate on criminal defense.

Crime is an unfortunate fact of life. A wide variety of crimes, from those affecting property to deaths caused by violent men and women, are carried out each and every day. Some crimes are more frequent than others. For instance, according to the Huffington Post, someone is arrested every 42 seconds in the United States for crimes related to marijuana use and possession. In 2012 alone, 750,000 people were arrested for such a violation.

Of course, in the United States, our men and women are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you want to face down a jury of your peers and prove your innocence, then you need a top criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate the legal waters. Otherwise, you may find yourself in prison for months, for years, for life, or worse.

The Burden of Proof

In many jurisdictions, the burden of proof rests entirely with the government, commonly referred to as the prosecution in criminal cases. If the state brings a case against you, for whatever crime you are accused of, then you need a criminal defense lawyer who can paint a doubt as to your guilt in the minds of your judge and jury. The best criminal lawyers may be able to successfully combat the arguments of your accusers, thereby rendering you free of guilt at the end of the trial.

Severity of Punishment

There is a wide variety of punishments a court can hand out if you are found guilty of a crime. Fines, seizure of money and property, and the revocation of your freedom are all possible results. Further, if the crime you are accused of is serious enough, capital punishment may still be an option, depending on your jurisdiction. Less serious punishments include government supervision which may entail probation, house arrest, and a need to check in with an officer who will make sure you are following the guidelines of your sentence.

Of course, punishments vary depending on the crime. For instance, many criminal codes, such as battery, sexual assault, and rape, all serve to protect the physical integrity of Americans’ bodies. If you are accused of these crimes, or any others, then you need a top criminal defense attorney who may be able to protect you from life changing consequences.

Protection of Reputation

Part of what criminal defense lawyers do is to help protect the reputation of their clients. After all, with widespread access to 24-hour news networks, people are often convicted in the court of public opinion, regardless of whether or not a jury finds them guilty. Top criminal defense attorneys may be able to protect your reputation in and out of the courtroom, so that if you are found innocent, your life can continue.

Any crime you are charged with can never be considered a laughing matter. In criminal cases, your freedom, your livelihood, and, quite possibly, your life are on the line. Find a top criminal defense attorney who can help you. This is a great source for more.