Criminal Lawyer - Christopher
While courtroom drama is common on TV, most criminal cases—over 90%—are resolved through plea bargains. Criminal lawyers often work behind the scenes, focusing more on negotiations than on trials before a jury.
View more
Creative & Visual Skills
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Critical Thinking & Judgement
Emotional Intelligence & Personal Traits
Professional & Technical Knowledge
Organizational & Operational Skills
Physical & Situational Readiness
Where does this job happen?
- Law Offices
- Private Law Firms
- Public Defender Office
- Prosecutor Offices
- Courtrooms
- Arraignments
- Bail Hearings
- Pre-trial Conferences
- Trials
- Private Law Firms
- Public Defender Office
- Prosecutor Offices
- Courtrooms
- Arraignments
- Bail Hearings
- Pre-trial Conferences
- Trials
What do they actually do?
- Protecting Constitutional Rights
- Investigating the Case
- Legal Research and Strategy Development
- Advising Clients
- Negotiating Plea Deals
- Courtroom Advocacy
- Appeals
- Prosecutors (Prosecution Lawyers/Crown Prosecutors)
- Investigating the Case
- Legal Research and Strategy Development
- Advising Clients
- Negotiating Plea Deals
- Courtroom Advocacy
- Appeals
- Prosecutors (Prosecution Lawyers/Crown Prosecutors)
What kind of person does this?
- Highly Analytical and Logical
- Resilient and Gritty
- Strong Communicators
- Decisive
- Detail-Oriented
- Ethical and Principled
- Competitive and Driven
- Confident
- Empathetic and Compassionate
- Non-Judgmental
- Good Listener
- Advocate for the Underdog
- Resilient and Gritty
- Strong Communicators
- Decisive
- Detail-Oriented
- Ethical and Principled
- Competitive and Driven
- Confident
- Empathetic and Compassionate
- Non-Judgmental
- Good Listener
- Advocate for the Underdog
What skills do you need?
- Legal Knowledge and Research
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication and Public Speaking
- Attention to Detail
- Thorough Case Preparation
- Investigation Skills
- Negotiation Skills
- Persuasion and Advocacy
- Interpersonal Skills
- Client Management and Empathy (Especially for Defense)
- Ethics and Integrity
- Adaptability
- Passion for Justice
- Strong Work Ethic
- Confidence
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication and Public Speaking
- Attention to Detail
- Thorough Case Preparation
- Investigation Skills
- Negotiation Skills
- Persuasion and Advocacy
- Interpersonal Skills
- Client Management and Empathy (Especially for Defense)
- Ethics and Integrity
- Adaptability
- Passion for Justice
- Strong Work Ethic
- Confidence
How much money can you make?
- **Average Annual Salary:** Approximately $91,761
- **Typical Salary Range:** Between $76,800 (25th percentile) and $102,600 (75th percentile) per year
- **Top Earners (90th percentile):** Can earn up to $118,945 annually
- **Entry-Level Salary (U.S. average):** Around $120,029 annually, though this higher figure may reflect certain roles or firms with above-average
- **Typical Salary Range:** Between $76,800 (25th percentile) and $102,600 (75th percentile) per year
- **Top Earners (90th percentile):** Can earn up to $118,945 annually
- **Entry-Level Salary (U.S. average):** Around $120,029 annually, though this higher figure may reflect certain roles or firms with above-average