Do you want to help defend the rights of individuals accused of a crime? Do you enjoy debating and analyzing details? If so, you may have the makings of a great defense lawyer.

When an individual is accused of a crime, one of the first things they think of is finding an excellent defense lawyer. In many cases, they will request to see a defense lawyer before speaking to the police about the circumstances of the case. From the beginning of a case, a defense lawyer will quickly assess the legal ramifications of the case and start to build a defensible case. They build this case regardless of their feelings about the innocence or guilt of their accused client.

Based on the United States legal system, you are innocent until proven guilty. It is the defense lawyer’s job to combat the prosecutions claims and place sufficient doubt into the mind of a judge or jury to prevent their client from receiving punishment, or receiving a punishment higher than legally allowed. The job of a defense lawyer is often not easy and requires long hours, research and high-level skills to be successful.

Defense lawyers may work in a law firm dedicated to criminal law, in their own law firm, for the government or they may work for non-profit legal rights groups. Salaries for defense lawyers can vary wildly based on personal success and location of employment. Defense lawyers working in private practice, or in a law firm that win high profile cases tend to be some of the best compensated lawyers, while prosecutors working for the state earn a respectable salary, but not the high sums that can be found in private practice. The average starting salary of a lawyer in private practice is over $100,000, while those working for the government start at about $50,000.http://www.bls.gov/oco/Ocos053.htm

The path of any lawyer starts with developing strong reading, writing and research skill in high school. Hard work, good grades and good scores on standardized college entrance exams can lead to a greater range of undergraduate college choices. Select a college with name recognition and a track record of placing graduates into top law schools.

While in college, you can major in almost any discipline, but many future defense lawyers opt for degrees in English, Criminal Justice or other legal related discipline. You want a degree that concentrates on critical thinking skills, reading and writing along with a foundation in law. As you near the end of your undergraduate career, you will need to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). You should study for the LSAT by taking a review course or by using study guides. A high score on the LSAT combined with strong undergraduate grades can help you get into your choice of Law Schools.

When selecting a Law School, opt for a program that has a strong Criminal Law program. For electives, select classes that will help enhance your understanding of the U.S. legal system and defense law practices. Consider obtaining a clerkship during breaks in law school at a law firm that specializes in defense law.

Passing the bar exam is a prerequisite in the United States to practice law. The exact exam required and other regulations vary state by state. Some states require the Multistate Bar Exam, some require the Multistate Essay Exam and may require the Multistate Professional Responsibility exam on top of other exam requirements.http://www.bls.gov/oco/Ocos053.htm Check on your state’s requirements so you can prepare your study plan.

The bar exam is usually a 6 hour multiple choice and essay examination. The bar exam cover multiple areas of law including criminal law, evidence, contracts, real property and constitutional law. While some of these areas may not be directly relevant to becoming a defense lawyer, they comprise the required knowledge base for become a practicing lawyer in any field.

The bar exam is considered to be intense and comprehensive. To make sure you are prepared to ace the bar exam the first time you take it, develop a study strategy. Consider attending a review course by Kaplan or BarBri Bar, studying with law school buddies, or using bar exam study guides. Use state-specific bar review guides so you will be prepared for state-specific bar exam questions.

You have several choices for a career in defense law. You can try to find a job with a law firm that handles defense cases, or you can work as a prosecutor for the state. Most defense lawyers get their start as prosecutors because it provides a great foundation and is easier to obtain for a recent law school graduate. You can also choose to work on pro bono cases at a non-profit organization to help gain the experience required to get a job in most criminal law firms.

While obtaining your foundation in your defense law career, be sure to focus on honing your public speaking skills, your analytical abilities and your case analysis methodology. The faster and more proficient you become in these areas, the more likely you will be to become a top ranked defense lawyer as your career progresses.

Part of being a defense lawyer is making connections with others in your field. Consider joining the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. http://www.criminaljustice.org/public.nsf/freeform/publicwelcome?opendocument This organization gets you access to other defense lawyers, The Championship magazine, and valuable conferences and continuing education opportunities. It is also a good idea to become familiar with the prosecutors, district attorneys and others that you will work with on a regular basis. For trial work, knowing the personality and style of those you routinely come up against will help improve your defense strategies.