When a criminal defense attorney first opens their practice, they may choose to develop a niche in a certain area of criminal law. Between felonies and misdemeanors, there are a number of crimes that a new attorney may specialize in. If the accused person has the means to hire a lawyer, they will most likely choose one who will successfully represent others who have been charged with the same or a similar crime.
Crimes Handled by a Criminal Defense Lawyer
The most well-known crimes, the ones that end up in police shows and detective stories, are those related to violent crimes. Violent crime encompasses crimes that intentionally cause harm to others: armed robbery, arson, assault and battery, carjacking, homicide, and kidnapping, to name just a few examples. These offenses are considered felonies and are most often punishable by a long prison term. Since you can spend half your life behind bars, a person accused of a violent crime will definitely hire an attorney who has already successfully handled cases involving similar crimes.
Capital crimes comprised another relatively familiar category introduced to us through accounts of both real life and fictional police investigations. Those accused of these crimes often face the death penalty. The defendant will definitely want to retain a criminal defense attorney who has a thorough understanding of the intricacies of constitutional matters, forensic evidence, and the appeals process. At least there will be hope of reducing a death sentence to a life sentence.
White collar crimes are non-violent crimes such as fraud, insider trading, or embezzlement. These crimes have their own complex issues that are different from violent or capital crimes. An attorney who is familiar with the “absence of intent” (the defendant did not intentionally commit the crime) or “cheating” (the defendant was tricked or coerced into committing the crime by an employer or other person) test will be your best bet. . for the defendant since he will understand the laws specifically related to this type of non-violent crime.
Unfortunately, driving under the influence violations are common enough for a criminal defense attorney to find a niche. A DUI charge accuses a person of driving under the influence of alcohol and endangering other drivers by their erratic driving. An attorney who specializes in DUI cases studies the possible inaccuracies of breathalyzers and other tests used by police to diagnose a DUI driver. They are familiar with the common ways to dismiss the case or reduce the defendant’s sentence.
Eventually, some lawyers decide to work for the government as public defenders. They represent those who do not have the funds to hire their own criminal defense attorney. Public defenders do not always have the freedom to choose their clients, so their area of expertise may or may not be used in each case. A public defender is often assigned too many cases at once, so it can be difficult to study the specific laws related to your client’s crimes. Extensive knowledge of criminal law will definitely come in handy!