What is a Criminal Lawyer? Overview & Career Path

What do Criminal Lawyers do?

While the specific responsibilities of a criminal lawyer vary depending whether they are a prosecutor or a defense attorney, below are some typical responsibilities:

Investigate the case

Interview witnesses

Research relevant laws and procedures

Build a defense and develop a case strategy

Negotiate with the other side, for example a defense attorney may negotiate with the prosecution to plea bargain to lesser charges

Draft, file and argue motions such as motions to dismiss and motions to suppress

Advocate for the defendant at trial

Draft, file and argue appeals ²

What types of Criminal Attorney Jobs are out there?

Prosecuting attorneys – sometimes called district attorneys or similar titles, act on behalf of cities, counties, states, or the federal government against the individual being accused, aka the defendant(s),

Defense attorneys – represent the individual being accused in court (the defendant). They usually work for a private criminal defense law firm. However, when defendants do not have enough money to hire a defense attorney, they are represented by public defenders (aka indigent lawyers), who are paid and employed by the government to represent clients. ³

What skills are necessary to be a successful Criminal Lawyer?

Communicate well
Willing to work hard and sometimes long hours
Time management skills
Strong understanding of criminal law and procedures
Writing Skills
Persuasive
Organized
Law School Degree
Research Skills
Negotiation Skills
Attention to detail

What are some challenges of being a Criminal Lawyer?

Can work long hours
A lot of paper work
If you work for the government, usually less compensation than private practice and some other lawyer options
Need to be a law school graduate (costs a lot of time and money)
Can be difficult to navigate the government world
Sometimes in the public eye, so subject to more scrutiny
Can be stressful given the substantial pressure to help your client
Defense lawyers sometimes face criticism for “defending criminals”, however everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

What are some benefits of being a Criminal Lawyer?

A defense lawyer can save someones life by providing a strong defense case
A prosecutor can help keep the world safer by successfully prosecuting criminals
Learn valuable skills
Work with many intelligent individuals
Build strong relationships with coworkers, clients, government officials/agencies
Good reputation
Solve interesting problems
Most cases are different, which is exciting

Typical Salary?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average criminal lawyer makes ~$75k, but this varies depending where you work and your level of experience.

Should I become a criminal lawyer?

If you are interested in law and/or dealing with analyzing and building criminal cases, you should consider a career in criminal law. Criminal lawyers can either work in private practice and defend clients, or work on behalf of the government (local, state, federal). Both types require creativity and strong understanding of the law to be successful. While being a criminal lawyer is often popularized by movies and TV shows, it can be hard work building a strong case against the opposition. However, it is very rewarding when your hard-work pays off and you win the case on behalf of someone who very much needed your help/services.