A lawyer has many duties that go beyond just the simple court case. Researching cases, drafting legal documents, mediating arguments and providing advice to clients on their legal rights are some additional duties involved depending on the discipline of law. It is important for a lawyer to be a member of the Bar, which is the board of lawyers who must undergo the rigorous requirements to become a practicing lawyer.
A lawyer can work as an attorney, a public defender, a prosecutor, a judge or a layman. A lawyer who practices law will often give legal advice to individuals who are accused of crime. The attorney will investigate all aspects of the case and advise his or her client on the best course of action. This type of lawyer may also handle complex litigations or represent one side in a case, or give oral arguments in court. He or she will have a reputation in the community for being an effective advocate.
A criminal lawyer will also be called upon to defend those accused of a crime against their own clients or another person. This includes cases involving police, the armed forces, the coast guard and other law enforcement officials. He or she will defend the client aggressively, both in the criminal courtroom and in the civil court. He or she will have the responsibility to protect his or her client’s constitutional rights and ensure he or she has a fair trial in the criminal court.