If someone’s spending their life, trying to save yours, there is a price that you will have to pay for it. This price you pay translates to the salary of these lawyers. So, let us understand the average remuneration of a criminal defense lawyer.
We’ve heard about criminal defense lawyers, we’ve watched them on television in the multitude of cops and lawyers kind of shows, some may have even been for a real life court proceeding, and are aware of how they function for real. Criminal defense lawyers can never have a dull moment, because there is always someone in need of their services. But who is a criminal defense lawyer? What is the job about? What is the salary like? There surely must be umpteen questions that you may want answered, so right from requirements to become a lawyer, to criminal defense lawyer salary, we’ll take a look at everything.
Criminal Defense Lawyer: Job Description
To begin with, as in the case of any lawyer, a criminal defense lawyer acts as a representative for his client. When a person has either committed a crime, or has even been impeached for one, it is the criminal defense lawyer who acts on his client’s behalf. When employed by the government, they are also known as public defenders. In terms of education, the rules do not change. Four years of school to obtain a bachelor’s degree, followed by taking the Law School Admission Test, then moving on to three years in law school, and finally receiving the Juris Doctor degree.
For a more detailed look on how to become a criminal defense attorney, you could take a look at career as a lawyer, as it will cover the basics. Moving back to job description, a lawyer of this kind would spend roughly 40 hours a week, working. The hours spent working are normally consumed by meeting with clients to discuss their case, doing extensive research regarding the same, and in case of trials, working on matters where witnesses may be cross examined. It is essential to bear in mind that a job like this generally demands for a lot of time to be spent in research, so as to build up a strong case in favor of the client.
Criminal Defense Lawyer: Salary
The interesting part about the salary of a criminal defense lawyer is the fact that salaries are charged on the basis of the crime that is being defended. While the basic average salary could range from $45,000 to $150,000 annually, with the addition of certain other perks it could go all the way up to $175,000 too. Most lawyers of this nature charge a flat fee depending on the crime in question. The range of these crimes could be right from a white-collar conspiracy, to possession of narcotics, or even DUI (Driving Under the Influence). It goes without saying that a white-collar crime means big bucks, as against something like a lesser offense like DUI. In a whole lot of cases salaries also depend on where they are employed.
This could refer to both, state or city of employment, as well as place of employment, in terms of the firm that they work at. Very evidently a criminal defense attorney working at a private firm is likely to earn more than a public defender, but either way, the annual salary and earnings of a criminal defense lawyer are good. Added years of experience and becoming a partner in a firm increases the chances of a higher salary even further. It is therefore advantageous in cases like these to work at a private firm or as a private attorney.
Apart from the above mentioned, the usual factors such as education, experience, etc., always play a key role too. Once you have that part of it figured out, there’s absolutely nothing that can stop you from establishing yourself in this line, and from drawing a fabulous salary.