Felony Lawyer: The Requirements to Practice

A felony lawyer has, arguably, one of the most important jobs in the criminal justice system. While there are those who don't believe that criminals should be entitled to an excellent defense and others who believe that these types of attorneys are beneath them for representing outlaws, the fact is that they are doing nothing less than living up to the Constitution. While even an attorney in the field may not love everyone they represent, it is their duty to set those feelings aside for the sake of their client. A client who, after all, should be considered innocent until proven guilty. Here are some of the requirements to practice for these important legal representatives.

Duties

In order to do his job, a felony lawyer must be in possession of a variety of relevant skills. This includes the ability to orate effectively and use an extensive knowledge of the law to his client's benefit. They must be willing and able to work long hours, arduously investigating a case, interviewing witnesses, and crafting arguments. Their research skills must be impeccable. Another important skill is the intangible ability to read others. An attorney who is unable to read the jury could continue down a path that will not provide fruitful rewards.

Education

Every state will have slightly different requirements when it comes to what a felony lawyer must bring to the table to be licensed. In almost all cases, however, the basic educational requirements will remain the same. These include an undergraduate degree from an accredited college as well as a degree from a law school. They must also have passed the bar exam in their respective state, which is used to determine that the attorney in question has retained the knowledge necessary to practice effectively.

Careers

A felony lawyer has a few different choices when it comes to career opportunities. One of the most common paths to take for a fledgling attorney is through the government. Many bright graduates will go into a District Attorney's office, working for either the prosecution or the public defender's office to hone their craft. Others may choose to go directly to work for a private law firm, where, if nothing else, the money is usually much better. Finally, one can choose to open their own practice, which takes a fair amount of business skill as well as knowledge of the law. More often than not, a felony lawyer will wait until they have gathered several years of experience before taking this step.