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defense attorney
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defense attorney

law
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Quick Summary

A defense attorney is a lawyer who represents a defendant in a court case. Their primary role is to assist the accused in gathering evidence that may prove their innocence and to protect them from any violations of their rights by law enforcement.12

In many countries, including the United States, if a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the state will either pay for a private attorney or provide a public defender. Public defenders are government-employed attorneys specifically tasked with representing indigent individuals accused of crimes. The law of criminal procedure governs how suspects are apprehended, charged, tried, and sentenced, and defense counsel plays a crucial role in navigating these processes.324

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
  1. public defender
  2. the defense
  3. public defender
  4. procedural law - The role of defense counsel

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