A Criminal Attorney Doesnt Have To Be Perry Mason To Do A Good Job

Anyone who's seen episodes of "Perry Mason" or "Law & Order" may think they know what a criminal attorney is and does. However, if charged with a crime, a person needs a real-life criminal lawyer who knows how to defend them according to local laws.

Criminal attorneys are defined by the responsibilities they undertake for various sections of criminal law. There are three main duties for a criminal attorney:

' To define the nature of the crime;

' To identify the crime victim;

' To determine who actually performed the crime.

These three duties are subdivided into two sections, criminal procedures and substantive criminal law.

A criminal trial attorney conducts the trial in court. He or she is responsible for collecting facts, reviewing evidence and conducting investigations. The trial attorney typically works in partnership with a lawyer who handles the substantive criminal law and is known as a criminal defense attorney. The criminal defense attorney is responsible for gathering evidences regarding the client. Substantive criminal law focuses on the crime and its punishment.

If an accused individual doesn't have the financial means to afford a criminal defense lawyer, the court will appoint an attorney to represent them. Often these attorneys are employed by the court and are known as public defenders. Sometimes an appointed criminal defense attorney in private practice devotes a portion of his or her work to defending clients unable to afford an attorney.

After being hired by a client or appointed by the court, a criminal lawyer's first duty is to meet with the client and hear the client's side of the story about the crime. The attorney will represent the client until or unless the client admits guilt or, in the case of privately hired attorneys, dismisses the criminal lawyer. The attorney will continue to represent the client until the criminal trial is concluded.

In the stress of being arrested for a crime, it can be difficult to think clearly about finding a criminal attorney to represent one. A good first step is to get referrals from the local Bar Association, or research attorneys according to their specialties. For instance, if one is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it's best to find an attorney experienced in defending clients charged with this crime. A family law or corporate attorney isn't a good choice to defend against criminal charges if he or she has no trial experience.

Those who can afford to hire their own criminal attorneys have the opportunity to be more selective about their representation. Hiring a criminal attorney is just like hiring any other professional. It's best to ask questions about the lawyer's qualifications, such as how long he or she has practice law, how much experience the attorney has in defending the type of crime with which the accused is charged, and how many similar cases the attorney has won in court. It's also good to ask about the attorney's fees, whether an upfront payment known as a "retainer" is required and whether the lead attorney or an associate will handle the client's case.