A society is governed by laws. In the U.S. we have laws at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Judges and courts exist for the purpose of hearing cases in which someone is accused of breaking a law, or in a civil court, breaching a contract. One of the most important jobs is that of the defense attorney.

The Purpose of the Defense Attorney

In the criminal justice system, a person who is accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Each defendant is entitled to a defense attorney. This is a lawyer whose job is to advocate for the accused. The defense attorney will refute whatever evidence the prosecution presents. 

The defender puts together a plan which may include discrediting witnesses, objecting to certain lines of questioning by the prosecutor, and most of all, creating a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. As the burden of proof is on the prosecution, reasonable doubt is all that is required to win a case.

The Skills of the Defense Attorney

Like any lawyer, a defense attorney needs a Bachelor’s degree, a Juris Doctor from an accredited college, and to pass the bar exam in the state in which they plan to practice. They are specific skills needed as well. These include:

• The ability to thoroughly research
• Public speaking skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills
• The ability to pay attention to detail
• The ability to adapt to changing situations
• The ability to work alone or in a team

These skills allow defense attorneys to represent their clients well and create and execute effective defense strategies.

Our legal system is essential to run cities, states, and the nation. It involves several different positions filled with highly trained and skilled individuals. Perhaps the most important of these is the defense attorney. 

Jane