7 Secrets of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal defense attorneys often get a misleading and unfair reputation as a tough, unfeeling group. The truth is that without being cod and tough – most criminal defense attorneys wouldn’t last a day! There are other secrets to having a career in criminal justice. We put together 7 of the best for your entertainment.

Let’s get stuck into the top 7 secrets of criminal defense attorneys in the US!

7 Things Criminal Defense Attorneys Want You To Know

1 – It’s Mostly Paperwork

Being a criminal defense attorney in the US today is more about paperwork than it is about catching the bad guy. We negotiate a world of reports every time we take on a new case – reports that need to be filed if you are to have a chance of getting out of detention. It is true what they say about the pen being mightier than the sword… at least when it comes to criminal justice.

2 – You Need Two Degrees for This job

You do! You need a Bachelor’s Degree (usually around three years) and a Juris Docturate degree program. Most criminal justice attorneys will have studied history, political sciences, public policy ad English. They will also closely study the legal system.

3 – It’s all About Professionalism

The reason a Criminal Defense Attorney has a median annual salary of over $120,000 is not just down to training, skill and demand – but professionalism. Regardless of personal feelings, a good defense attorney needs to switch off and get to work. The moment your personal feelings cloud your professional judgment is the moment we fail!

4 – Criminal Defense Attorneys are Magicians!

A good attorney watches the jury for every tell, much like a magician studies a mark to spot the right one for their trick. If you use the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates you are sure to be witness to a little ‘Razzle-Dazzle’. We research jurors to find the best angle, know how to work the crowd, and always keep things above board.

5 – They get Trolled online and offline!

When you are representing unpopular people it is almost expected that you will face a public backlash of some kind. Whether that be vandalism to your car or some online hate speech… the best thing a criminal defense attorney can do is just avoid it, ignore it, and not rise to it. It is another reason why the average salary is so high. All that heckling dissuades new blood.

6 – Media is Directly Influencing Juries

Seriously! Jurors have seen on TV what it is like to sit in on an exciting case, and have started coming to the courtroom with preconceived ideas. This has allowed criminal defense attorneys to invest a little more in the drama of it all to keep things interesting. Sometimes, the attorney that puts on the best show has the best chance of winning over a jury.

7 – They Work Hard – For You!

At some point in life you may need a criminal defense attorney. It may be for something as small as a forgotten bill in a restaurant. Before you go slamming the poor defense lawyer getting slammed for representing a famous ‘bad guy’; keep in mind that you might need to hire that person one day. 

The world works in mysterious ways and no worlds are more mysterious than the world of law.