Going to court is often as scary as seeing a ghost because you’re not sure what the outcome will be, what the jury will think, and if you’ll walk out as a free person. Fortunately, professionals with a keen knowledge of the law will represent you by helping you through the legal process.
The word ‘professionals’ here refers to a group of individuals with specific education, training, and experience who are bound by a code of ethics. These individuals are known as attorneys or lawyers.
So in this article, we will learn about these professionals and how they differ from each other. If you’re in need of legal representation, especially in matters concerning criminal defense, it’s crucial to consult a seasoned professional like a criminal defense attorney in Salt Lake City. Intermountain Legal is known for their expertise in providing effective defense strategies
Talking About Lawyers
Lawyers are those who have been trained in the law and who are licensed to practice law. They are also called attorneys. Lawyers can work in many different areas, but they must have a law degree and be licensed to practice law.
Roles of a Lawyer
Following are the roles of a lawyer or an attorney.
- To provide legal advice to clients,
- To represent clients in court,
- To draft legal documents for clients,
- To negotiate on behalf of clients and
- To provide legal training to others.
- To investigate the facts and law of a case.
- To give an expert opinion on various legal aspects.
- To interpret the law for clients and others.
- To make legal decisions.
- Solve legal problems.
Lawyers can work in many different areas, but they all must have a law degree and be licensed to practice law. The roles of a lawyer can vary greatly from one country to another. For example, in the United States, “trial lawyers” represent clients in court, while in England, “solicitors” represent clients and give them legal advice.
Types of Attorneys
For different types of cases we have different kinds of attorneys but the three main types of attorneys are:
- Criminal Defense Attorney- A criminal defense lawyer is the lawyer who represents clients who have been accused of committing a crime. A criminal attorney has to defend their client in court and ensure that they receive a fair trial. These attorneys protect their client’s rights and ensure that they are treated fairly by the criminal justice system.
- Defense Attorney- A defense attorney is a lawyer who represents clients who have been accused of a crime. A defense attorney must defend their client in court and ensure that they receive a fair trial.
- Prosecutor- A prosecutor is a lawyer who represents the government in court. A prosecutor must prove that the person accused of a crime is guilty.
There are also many other attorneys such as civil rights lawyers, family lawyers, and personal injury lawyers. These lawyers specialize in different areas of the law and help people with different types of legal problems.
So let us move forward by learning how criminal defense lawyers differ from others.
Criminal Defense Attorney V/S Defense Attorney
It is often seen that people are not that aware when it comes to the legal system. They do not even know the difference between a criminal defense lawyer/attorney and a defense attorney.
Before moving to the difference between a criminal defense lawyer and a defense attorney, we will first look at the meaning of a criminal defense lawyer and a defense attorney.
A criminal defense lawyer is the one who is responsible for representing people who have been charged with some sort of crime. On the other hand, a defense attorney represents the defendants in criminal cases.
Now, we will be moving to the main difference between a criminal defense lawyer and a defense attorney. The main difference between a criminal defense lawyer and a defense attorney is that a criminal defense lawyer focuses on the defense of a criminal case whereas a defense attorney focuses on civil cases.
The criminal defense lawyer deals with cases including drug traffic, murder, assault, burglary, perjury, etc. On the other hand, a defense attorney deals with cases including divorce, child custody, personal injury, and so on.
The other key difference between both is that a criminal defense lawyer is required to have a law degree and pass the bar exam. In contrast, the defense attorney does not have to have a law degree and pass the bar exam.
When it comes to fees, a criminal defense attorney typically charges a higher fee than a defense attorney. It is because criminal defense attorneys have a narrow area of expertise. They focus specifically on criminal law, whereas a defense attorney may have a more general practice.
Lastly, a criminal defense lawyer is typically more concerned with the constitutional rights of the accused and the criminal justice system. But a defense attorney is more concerned with the legal rights of the client and the civil justice system.
Criminal Defense Attorney V/S Prosecutor
The two types of lawyers in the criminal justice system are criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors. They both have different jobs and different goals.
A criminal defense attorney’s job is to defend the accused. They work to prove their innocence or get the charges reduced. A prosecutor’s job is to prove the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Here are the key differences between criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors:
A criminal defense attorney defends individuals who have been accused of a crime, while a prosecutor represents the government in criminal cases.
A criminal defense attorney’s role is to defend the accused and to try and negotiate a plea deal. They work to prove their innocence or get the charges reduced. On the other hand, a prosecutor’s role is to take the case to trial and prove the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A criminal defense attorney’s goal is to get the charges reduced or dismissed. A prosecutor’s goal is to get a conviction. The criminal defense attorney is supposed to be unbiased and objective whereas a prosecutor is supposed to be objective but may have a personal relationship with the victim.
A criminal defense attorney may use any legal tactic to defend their client. A prosecutor may only use tactics that are ethical and legal.
Final Words
Criminal Attorneys are different from other attorneys in many ways. They have different skills and knowledge that they use to defend their clients. They also have a different set of ethical obligations.
Well, the legal system is quite complex and there are many different types of lawyers that specialize in different areas. There are personal injury lawyers, criminal lawyers, business lawyers, family lawyers, estate lawyers, employment lawyers, immigration lawyers, and many more. It is essential to know the difference between a criminal defense lawyer and a defense attorney so that you can choose the right one for your case.