Roles of Criminal Defense Attorney

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Erin Oxendine

Erin Oxendine has numerous years of experience working as a writer, paralegal, notary and artist. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Newberry College and has been a professional freelance writer for several years with an emphasis on legal and health-related articles; she wrote for her college newspaper.

By Erin Oxendine, eHow Contributor

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Roles of Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal defense attorneys provide a defense for individuals accused of a committing a crime. These attorneys perform various duties in their efforts to promote their clients' interests before a court of law.

1. Client Interaction

   • One of the initial tasks a criminal defense attorney performs is meeting with the client to discuss the case. The attorney often has to visit a jail because the client may be there awaiting trial.

   Case Management

   • Case management is a vital part of a criminal lawyer's workday and involves organizing case documents, indexing exhibits and reviewing correspondence.

   Pleadings Preparation

   • The lawyer will prepare numerous pleadings in a criminal matter, including answers to complaints, discovery and pretrial briefs. The attorney has to provide copies of these documents to the court and to the prosecutor.

   Settlement Negotiations

   • In most criminal trials, the defense attorney will try to negotiate a deal for the client to get a lighter sentence. The attorney may have to consider a plea-bargain offer from the prosecutor, which is an incentive for the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

   Trial Preparation

   • If the parties are unable to negotiate a settlement, the defense attorney will begin to prepare for trial. The lawyer and his staff will retain experts, prepare an opening statement and assist in jury selection.

   Trial Duties

   • During the trial of a case, the defense attorney will present evidence, cross-examine prosecution witnesses and provide legal defenses. If his client is found guilty, the defense attorney will decide after sentencing whether to file an appeal.

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References

• Criminal Defense Attorney Overview
• Standards for Criminal Representation

Read Next: What Is the Role of a Lead Investigator in Criminal Investigations?

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