So, You Want To Become a
Criminal Defence Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions and infrequently heard answers
Since the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995, I have been fascinated by criminal law. Through high school, my
undergraduate education and even law school, I was always looking for resources about what the
practice of criminal law is like, but finding the answers I was looking for was not easy. In law school, I
found that there were a lot of resources devoted to other areas of law and that the systems in place
were mainly for other areas of practice. I want this space to be a platform for people interested in the
practice of criminal law whether you are interested in practicing it in the future or just interested in one
of the most interesting aspects of a democratic society. All questions are welcome.
Featured Question
Do I have What It Takes to be a Criminal Lawyer?
This is really the key question that is hard to answer. I can only say that this question is not different about whether you have what it takes to be an actor or a singer or a doctor or any other profession where it is difficult to succeed.
When I was an articling student, I used to think I was a hero for producing a well-written legal memo. When I began working as a criminal lawyer, I realized that legal research was a small component of the work of a criminal trial lawyer. The ability to prepare a strategy, cross-examine a witness, act with instinct in dynamic situations and charm a jury are much more important attributes.
