Where a person is arrested under criminal charges, he needs a representative to legally defend him. Criminal defense attorney is a person who legally represents the accused under criminal charges and defends his right at every stage from arrest to appeal after conviction. He is hired either in private or appointed by government. Employing a criminal defense attorney will make a lot of difference between a jail sentence to discharging the convict without charges. In every case these criminal defense lawyers ensure that the right of the accused is protected through out the proceedings. Hence a qualified, competent and experienced attorney will be the most preferred choice.

Attorney's Role:

A criminal defense attorney plays a vital role in directing and presenting the case in such a manner that the benefit of doubt will be in favor of the accused their by reducing the severity of punishments. Questioning witnesses in the court is a source of information. He negotiates with the prosecutor for reducing the punishments and their by the sentence.

Framing the case in such a way so as to avoid future legal problems to the defendant; educating the defendant about his status and the outcome of the trial with the defense strategy adopted; helping the accused from low self esteem and fear factor being an outcome of the legal procedures; knowledge and awareness about the legal provisions and defense loop holes; familiarity with the court formalities; knowledge about the hidden cost of pleading guilty; hiring investigators and gathering the facts of the case are the various steps adopted by a defense attorney to defend the accused.

Government appointed Attorney:

On a case to case basis, considering the financial position of the accused the court allows the appointment of an attorney on a request made by him. A declaration about his financial condition should be presented. The attorney or the public defender as he may be called is appointed immediately or delayed for verification. The court bears the expense of appointing an attorney. Where the accused does not qualify for a free help and also not in a position to bear the expense is allowed to pay a portion of the expense.