Criminal lawyers spend all their time working on behalf of their clients. They do not always have to go to court. In fact, they perform a number of smaller tasks that can help you work things out with the police. Your criminal lawyer’s office can help you to negotiate interviews, help you to avoid saying anything incriminating, and can even provide you with clear guidance on how to proceed. The role of the criminal lawyer is plentiful and varied. If it is the kind of career you are interested in, then you are set for an interesting working life.
We took a closer look at the role of criminal lawyers to find out exactly what it is that they do to help. We also looked at what sort of qualifications you might need, should you decide to train as one.
What Does a Criminal Lawyer Do?
A criminal lawyer is the type of lawyer that defends you against series accusations of crime. If you have committed a crime, or if someone accuses you of committing a crime but did not actually do it, then you need criminal lawyers to represent you. They can negotiate with the police on your behalf, they can gather evidence to support you, and they can safely guide you through the processes of the law to keep you in the right. For example, if there is an arrest warrant out for you but you do not know about it, they can keep you informed.
Criminal lawyers advocate on your behalf in situations where you cannot properly defend yourself. This comes down to interviewing witnesses or grilling them on the stand in court. They prepare paperwork on your behalf and will try their best to make sure you can go home after your trial. They will help you through your trial, even going to court for you on days where your attendance is not necessary. Criminal lawyers may be defence or prosecution based.
Criminal lawyers do everything they can to keep their client out of jail. Even when they are unsuccessful, they will do their best to minimise sentences passed. Their job is to know the law so that you do not have to. The difference between a good criminal lawyer and an average one is that the good one will gather evidence and advise you even before or after a trial. Find a good one and keep hold of their number for life.
How to Become a Criminal Lawyer?
If you would like a career in law and want to specialise in criminal defence, you will have to study at law school. You first need to graduate from university with a basic law degree. After this, you must complete legal training and seek admissions authority approval. Next, you must obtain a practising certificate and complete supervised training. One you pass the Australian Bar Association entrance exam; you can call yourself a criminal lawyer and start working for clients.