Criminal Lawyers Job Description, Duties & Salary

Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits

Experience as a law intern or judicial clerk is highly recommended. As an undergraduate student, try to participate in an internship at a courthouse, law firm, or other legal employer. Additionally, many private public defense organizations offer internships. Your career services office or prelaw (or other major) program may also require you to participate in an internship as part of its curricula. While in law school, it is a good idea to participate in a judicial clerkship. A clerkship with a judge who oversees criminal or civil proceeding will provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at the court system and the issues judges and lawyers deal with every day. Volunteer positions at a courthouse, prosecutor’s office, or law firm will also provide a helpful introduction to the field.

Besides having a keen knowledge of the law, criminal lawyers must have other skills. They must be good communicators—in court while presenting their case to the judge and jury, and out of court while interviewing witnesses and conducting interrogations and interacting with coworkers. Being attentive to detail is also important, especially because criminal cases may be won or lost due to the smallest factual detail. Criminal lawyers must also be able to work under the pressure of cases that at times may be physically and emotionally draining. Other important traits for criminal lawyers include professional and personal ethics, integrity, the ability to stay calm under pressure, organizational and time-management skills, and strong interpersonal skills. Public defenders must have empathetic personalities and a desire to help others, especially the underserved. They need to be confident when dealing with prosecutors and judges, but compassionate and patient when working with clients.

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