If you want to be a prosecutor and a defense lawyer, you may need to work in a different field. Prosecutors are notoriously unreliable, and it can be difficult to determine if they will do a good job. Criminal defense attorneys, on the other hand, are often able to negotiate plea bargains with prosecutors. They know the hidden costs of pleading guilty. Many people represent themselves, not thinking about what the consequences of pleading guilty will be. For example, if you plead guilty, you may have trouble finding a job after you’ve served your punishment.
Both professions require strong academics and training, and both require high-level credentials. Criminal defense attorneys can earn board certification by completing the National Board of Legal Specialization (NBLS), a non-profit organization accredited by the American Bar Association. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is a professional organization for attorneys in this field, serving private attorneys, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors, judges, and others.
A prosecutor isn’t likely to negotiate with an individual who represents themselves. They know that the prosecutor’s case can be weak if the defendant can present convincing evidence that they are innocent. The attorney’s job is to make the case that the prosecutor can’t make and to defend their client’s innocence. A good criminal defense lawyer will be able to attack the prosecution’s case and ensure that the defendant is punished in the best possible way giveme5.
