What Are the 3 Types of Defense Attorneys?

It’s the right of every suspect to have a defense attorney defend their case. However, before you can hire one, it’s important to know which type of attorney to approach. The defense lawyer you choose will help provide you with legal representation. With the right lawyer, you also get to receive the best probable outcome from your legal proceedings.

Every attorney, including Meltzer & Bell, P.A., is bound by a code of ethics that ensures they provide all clients with honest and fair representation. By choosing the right defense attorney, you get to have a lawyer specializing in that area of law. Let’s look at the three different defense attorneys and their responsibilities.

1. Criminal Defense Attorneys

A criminal defense attorney is a lawyer that specializes in criminal defense. They are either employed by a law firm, other organizations like government agencies or nonprofits, or self-employed. A criminal defense attorney fulfills several responsibilities during the entire course of the criminal case. Some of these responsibilities include:

Interviewing the Client

Once you meet your criminal defense attorney, the first thing they do is interview you about the case. The interview ensures that your lawyer gets plenty of details about your case. Your attorney asks specific questions, enabling them to learn about weaknesses, strengths, and possible defenses.

Evidence Analysis

Your criminal defense attorney also analyzes the evidence against you by carefully studying the theories and facts of the case. Depending on their employment status, your lawyer can have the evidence independently tested. Once evidence analysis is over, they can determine if the legal theories work against your conviction.

Jury Selection

Another essential responsibility a criminal attorney has is jury selection. Your lawyer helps ensure the jurors selected during the selection process are an asset to your case.

1. Civil Defense Attorneys

A civil defense attorney or litigator represents people named in lawsuits. A civil litigation defense attorney represents clients being sued for a particular amount of money for these types of cases. However, like any other lawyer, this type of defense attorney also has specific responsibilities to fulfill, and they include:

 

Investigating Everything about the Case

Civil litigators conduct initial case investigations to help them determine if there’s enough evidence to warrant a lawsuit. Besides investigating the evidence, they also locate witnesses, gather documents, take witness statements, and interview the client.

Conducting Deposition Hearings

Deposition hearings are an essential part of any civil defense. This process allows your lawyer to investigate key witnesses and prepare demonstrative evidence they can use for the hearing.

Pre-Trial Tasks

Before the trial begins, a civil litigator will consult and advise their clients. They will also retain expert witnesses who will help build their defense. They will also develop a strategy based on the evidence and facts they have collected during the investigation stage. These tasks are vital, as the outcome helps your civil defense attorney present their case.

1. Juvenile Defense Attorney

The last type of defense attorney is a juvenile defense lawyer. This type of lawyer defends clients between the age of 10 and 17. Despite having committed crimes that are pretty similar to adult crimes, according to the law, an individual in this age bracket cannot be tried as one. The penalties and sentences they get are completely different.

This defense law area is unique, as it requires the lawyer specialized with this type of law to find a rehabilitative solution for their client. Their primary responsibility is to advise the parents and clients on legal strategies and potential outcomes. A child defense attorney also interacts with judges, judicial clerks, law clerks, law enforcement officers, expert witnesses, and private investigators.

They also prepare and interview their clients for the case ahead. But, since they are handling young children, a juvenile defense attorney should also learn how to communicate complicated legal concepts in an easy-to-understand language. 

Another aspect you should consider when hiring a juvenile defense attorney includes:

Reputation: A lawyer’s reputation speaks volumes about their experience with previous clients. An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer should have a solid reputation, as this is proof of how well you interact and help your clients.

Remember, the type of defense lawyer you choose plays a significant role in the outcome of your case. Therefore, ensure that you select an attorney that’s well specialized with your case and all its legalities. By doing so, you’re guaranteed sufficient help during your entire case. You are also confident that your lawyer can offer legal advice throughout the court case.