An Overview of Chicago Criminal Lawyers

Public defenders or criminal lawyers, defend entities, organizations or individuals charged with crimes. Similar to Cook County lawyers, public defenders in Chicago handle criminal cases of diverse spectrums, ranging from drug crimes, domestic violence crimes, violent crimes and sex crimes to embezzlement, theftand fraud, and driving under influence.

Education and experience

Whether you’re a Chicago land criminal lawyer or a Chicago Suburbs Lawyer or any other lawyer, you must pass the examination bar and obtain a degree in law before you start practicing law. Several states require lawyers to be certified by the relevant law boards or associations before practice law. In America, the “National Board of Legal Specialty Certification” is the association that provides board certification.

Job Description

The basic work of criminal lawyers is to represent defendants charged with criminal cases in appellate, federal and state courts. The criminal lawyers’ scope of practice covers post-conviction and appeals remedies, revocation hearings (probation or parole), trial, plea bargains and bail bond hearings. Criminal lawyers, under their job functions, will:

•    Draft, argue and file appeals

•    Provide advocacy to their defendants at trial

•    Argue, draft and file motion, for example, motions to suppress and motions to suppress

•    Develop case strategies and build defense

•    Research procedural law, crime codes, statutes and case law

•    Interview witness and investigate the case

•    Facilitate plea bargain by proposing lesser charges by the prosecution

Criminal Lawyer Skills

Criminal lawyers are supposed to have excellent written and oral advocacy skills so as to persuade a jury and successfully defend a client. Research and investigative skills are also paramount in establishing strong defense or building a case. In order to litigate complex cases, develop case strategies and analyze case law, criminal lawyers must possess strong analytical skills and creative thinking.

In addition, they must also possess an in-depth knowledge and understanding of evidentiary laws, court procedures, local, federal and state rules. Again, understanding of the local judges enables criminal lawyers to competently and efficiently navigate the system for criminal justice.

Lawyers need to understand that they cannot establish strong client-attorney relationships unless they have excellent interpersonal skills. As a finicky group, criminal defendants, in most cases, go through different lawyers before settling on one that suits their needs. Therefore, attracting and retaining your clients is an ability that you need to nurture since it’s vital for a thriving practice of criminal defense.

Practice Environment

Most criminal lawyers work in private practice or in a solo firm. Some work for non-profit agencies or for the government as public defenders.

Criminal lawyers often work long, irregular hours. They frequently meet with clients outside their office at the courthouse, prisons, hospitals and other venues.

Most criminal lawyers maintain a local practice. However, for criminal attorneys with a national practice, frequent travel is required.

Criminal Lawyer Salaries

Criminal lawyer salaries vary, depending on the size and scope of the practice, the clientele the firm serves and the geographic location of the firm. Public defender and non-profit salaries are usually modest (the $30,000 to $50,000 range is common). Criminal lawyers employed in law firms generally earn the highest salaries; experienced criminal attorneys can earn well into the six figures. The highest paid criminal lawyers are often those that represent high-profile, wealthy defendants in high-stakes cases.

Breaking In to Criminal Law

Many criminal lawyers start their careers as prosecutors or public defenders. A public defender is an attorney appointed by the court to represent defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. Mock trial and moot court experience in law school is helpful as it allows the attorney to develop oral advocacy skills and gain trial experience in a simulated setting.

Criminal Lawyer Job Outlook

Criminal law is a growing practice niche. As crime rates and criminal laws spiral upwards, the number of people sentenced to prison has risen nearly threefold over the past 30 years. Crime rates have increased and prison populations are exploding across the country. As new criminal laws are codified and more Americans are charged under state and federal laws, the need for criminal lawyers to defend the accused will also rise.

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Whether you’re a Chicago land Chicago Criminal Lawyer suburbs lawyer or any other lawyer,