Law binds each citizen to the nation/state they belong to. An individual who violates the law can be punished by a court. Criminal law is a law that dictates punishments and penalties for criminal offenses. The criminal lawyer has the responsibility of presenting an accused criminal's case before a court.

A criminal lawyer may have two or even three roles. He can become a government public prosecutor whose responsibility is to prove that the accused has committed a crime. A criminal defense lawyer can take the side and prove the innocence.

Criminal lawyers can seek employment as a government public defender. These attorneys represent those who can't afford the services provided by private criminal defense attorneys.

Criminal attorneys who are part of the defense team have the duty to advise their client on what the best course of actions is. He might advise the client to accept the prosecutor's plea deal if it is feasible. In cases where the crimes can be proven incorrect, he'll use all his knowledge and experience to help his client get a favorable result.

Criminal attorneys have the right before and after court to call and question any witnesses. He will also try to establish a good alibi so that the accused can prove he wasn’t at the scene of the crime.

Criminal lawyers should be free from any concerns about their actions before a court. They can object to the other lawyer's remarks if they think that it is incorrect. The criminal defense lawyer is responsible for summarizing the case. This closing speech can sometimes make or break the case.

Oft, criminal defense lawyers are called on to defend people who have committed crimes of the worst kind. In such situations, they need to have the strength of mind to let go of their personal views and fight to protect the client’s legal rights. He must keep information about his client confidential.

He must obey the client's instructions as long they are legal. While working together on a case, an attorney is expected not to have any personal attachments towards the client.

For example, an edmonton criminal lawyer has an enormous amount of responsibility that he is paid handsomely. Oft, they charge an hourly rate.