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Criminal attorneys are charged with the difficult task of defending individuals against criminal charges brought against them by a prosecuting attorney. Criminal attorneys represent clients in a criminal trial. Criminal defense attorneys represent those accused of breaking the law, while prosecutors represent the state. Generally, the defense seeks to have its client found not guilty and the
prosecutor the opposite, but realistically many cases involve compromises such as plea bargains or other settlements.

There are two main types of criminal defense lawyers. Because every criminal defendant has the right to legal counsel, public defenders are paid by the government and are appointed to represent clients who are otherwise unable to retain an attorney. Private criminal defense lawyers work independently or as part of a private firm and can command huge sums for their representation. The caseload of a public defender is usually much busier than a private defense lawyer, who can focus much more time and resources on a single case.

 Every criminal case is different, but the major tasks of a criminal lawyer are to ascertain the facts surrounding a criminal charge and to present them in a way that reflects favorably on the client. The criminal prosecutor must show beyond any reasonable doubt the defendant committed the crime as charged. The defense lawyer merely has to provide that reasonable doubt, that something in the facts of the case suggest the defendant might not have committed the crime.

Criminal lawyers have graduated from an accredited law school and passed a state bar exam. Many begin their careers in the public defender's office. State prosecutors often work their way up within the attorney general's office or another law enforcement agency.

Despite popular belief, criminal defense lawyers do not necessarily have to believe their client's innocence to provide proper representation. Though many lawyers will decline to take the case if they are not reasonably convinced a potential client may be
innocent, the law requires that every criminal defendant receive a fair trial. Therefore, criminal attorneys who do represent someone
they believe is most likely guilty are still serving the interests of justice and their client.

 Every action in a trial is governed by rules and expectations, and while some may be gifted enough to navigate the legal process
on their own, the vast majority are far better served by using a criminal lawyer, even a public defender. Even attorneys, if faced with criminal charges, will tend to avoid representing themselves because they know that emotion and partiality can interfere with a convincing criminal defense.

When hiring a criminal defense lawyer, cost will be a factor, of course. But other considerations should include the attorney's
temperament and if it is suited to the defense that will be presented, and if the attorney is agreeable personally. Also, some defense
lawyers have specialties such as drugs, homicide or fraud, and some may have particular insight into an effective defense strategy.