When most people think of the life of a practicing criminal attorney, they picture courtroom scenes complete with declarations of, “I object!” and plenty of gavel banging. The truth is, however, that for most lawyers, there is far more involved in the legal process than just going to trial. If you are considering becoming a criminal attorney, here is a behind the scenes look at what a day in the life of a criminal lawyer looks like:

Travel Time

Much of a criminal defense attorney’s day is spent traveling. This is because an attorney must travel to meet their clients in a variety of locations – ranging from an office to a client’s home to a jail or prison – and often has to travel to a number of different places to gather evidence to build a case. An attorney may also need to meet with judges or other legal authorities in order to (get permission to) access to certain documents or types of evidence.

Research, Investigation, and Case Building

In addition to traveling from place to place for court, to meet with legal authorities, to meet with clients, or to gather evidence to build a case, an attorney must also dedicate many hours researching, investigating, and building their case. Often times, this may include intensive study of a specific part of the law, pouring through old cases to search for precedent, and other tedious – yet very important – duties. An attorney will likely have to return back to the drawing board many times before a resolution is found or a case is fully developed.

Going to Court

While a criminal defense attorney’s job is not always in the courtroom – and certainly is not full of all of the glamorous courtroom scenes that are seen on television – there is a lot of time spend in court. A criminal attorney must talk to prosecutors, represent clients before a judge, and calm down clients in court. At the courthouse, a defense attorney may work with the prosecution to come to a plea agreement; if one cannot be reached, then the attorney will be back in court representing their client during trial. Depending upon the case, a trial can take days, weeks, or even years to conclude.

It is important to remember that for criminal defense attorneys, odds are often against the attorney and their client. The attorney has a huge responsibility to competently represent their client and provide them with skilled legal advice – the failure to do this can have significant consequences for the client.

Thinking About Becoming a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Criminal defense attorneys have extremely difficult jobs, but their work is essential for protecting the rights of those who are charged with a crime. If you are thinking about becoming a criminal attorney, you should consider meeting with a practicing defense lawyer and interviewing them with any questions you have about an average day and tasks. You can learn more about Mr. Lazarine by visiting him online.