Duties of a Criminal Defense Lawyer

In order for anyone accused of a crime to receive a fair trial they need a lawyer to present their case to the judge and jury. There are two types of lawyers for criminal cases; the prosecutor who tries to prove guilt and the defense lawyer who tries to prove that the accused is innocent. A criminal defense attorney has many duties.  

Advisory Duties

A defense lawyer has many responsibilities to their client outside of the courtroom. They act in an advisory capacity to their clients. Not only giving them advice but also calming their nerves when they get worried or upset. A lot of criminal cases can end up with the defendant spending major time in prison, the defense lawyer also advises the defendant on what to accept and not accept from a plea bargain with the prosecutor.

Gathering Information

There is a lot of tedious information gathering involved with a criminal case. The defense attorney helps the defendant establish an alibi and talks to witnesses that may help in the defendant’s case. There are three types of witnesses for the attorney to question in a criminal case. Every one of them can be important to the outcome.

Presenting the Case

The presentation of the accused’s case to the judge and jury is a lengthy process. The defense attorney will start with an opening argument. This is one of the most important parts of the trial as it can be emotional and try to win over the jury. A defense lawyer can cross-examine any of the prosecution’s witnesses during this testimony part of the trial. Closing arguments are also very important to the defendant’s case because this is both sides last chance to convince the jury of the defendant’s guilt or innocence.