A criminal defence lawyer is a legal professional who defends individuals, businesses and organisations against allegations of criminal wrongdoing. They are not to be confused with civil lawyers, who deal with matters such as divorce, employment law and personal injury cases. Criminal defence lawyers specialise in defending the interests of those who are accused of committing criminal offences, and their role is to ensure that their client receives fair treatment under the law.

The Stephen Jack description of a criminal defence lawyer includes investigating and reviewing all available evidence, including police reports, witness statements and forensic data. They also review pertinent case law, statutes and legal precedent in order to build a strong case for their client. Identifying constitutional violations and procedural errors is another important aspect of their work, as it can help to mitigate any charges against the accused individual.

Top Criminal Defence Lawyers in Toronto: Protect Your Rights

Other duties of a criminal defense attorney include advising their clients throughout the investigation process, which may often be conducted by law enforcement agencies. This may involve helping them to avoid self-incrimination, and it can also include advising them on the best way to interact with investigators in order to influence the course of the investigation and potentially influence the charges that will be filed.

In some cases, a criminal defense attorney will try to get the charges against their client dropped before they even go to trial. This can be achieved through the use of pre-trial motions or by negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges or a lower sentence.