Legal Definitions - defense attorney

A defense attorney is a legal professional who represents an individual or entity that has been accused of a crime or is being sued in a civil lawsuit. Their fundamental role is to safeguard their client's legal rights and interests throughout the entire legal process, which can include investigations, negotiations, court hearings, and trials. They work to challenge the accusations made against their client, present evidence in their client's favor, and ensure that due process is followed.

Defense attorneys can be privately hired by the defendant, or in criminal cases, if a defendant cannot afford legal representation, a court-appointed attorney (often a public defender) may be provided to ensure their right to counsel.

• For example, imagine Mr. Alex Chen is arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI). He would hire a defense attorney to represent him in the criminal proceedings. This attorney would review the evidence, such as police reports and breathalyzer results, advise Mr. Chen on his rights, negotiate with the prosecutor for a plea bargain, or represent him at trial to challenge the charges and argue for his innocence or a reduced sentence.

• In a different context, consider "Green Solutions Inc.", a landscaping company, being sued by a homeowner for alleged property damage caused during a project. Green Solutions Inc. would retain a defense attorney specializing in civil litigation. This attorney would investigate the homeowner's claims, gather evidence to dispute the allegations or demonstrate the company's adherence to professional standards, and represent the company in court or during mediation to defend against the lawsuit and protect its financial interests.