If you are going to hire an attorney for the first time, whether for a criminal activity or a common debate, you might b

1. Main 10 Things to Know About What Attorneys Do

2. Some Lawyers Never go to Court While the TV shows make it seem as though attorneys spend all day in court, it simply isn’t true of all attorneys. Some attorneys, called “transactional attorneys,” never seen in court. They work behind the scenes, writing deals and perform related work. Attorneys who do real estate closings normally do not go to court either.

3. Criminal Attorneys and civil Attorneys are Different Civil attorneys work in civil court, taking care of claims for a plaintiff or a defendant. Criminal attorneys, on the other hand, work in criminal courts. Prosecutors bring charges against individuals blamed of a crime, while defense attorneys defend a person who the government claims committed a crime. Changed the rules of evidence apply in criminal and civil courts, and different standards of proof apply.

4. Attorneys usually have a Specialty Field While there are some general practice attorneys, most attorneys specialize in particular fields. For example, DUI attorneys may handle only DUI cases are primarily DUI cases, while divorce attorneys deal with matters of marriage dissolution and child custody.

5. Some Attorneys Represent the Government only Prosecutors work for the government and have to abide by all laws restricting the government from infringing on personal freedom, such as the Fourth Amendment’s protection against illegal searches.

6. Some Attorneys Work for Large Firms Law firms have become big business, and many firms are Multinational Company comprised of many offices and many different attorneys. These big firms may have several different branches and handle many different kinds of law.

7. Attorneys have a Responsibility to keep your Secrets Both the law and the Model Instructions of Professional Conduct identify “attorney/client privilege.” This means attorneys not only can’t willingly share your secrets, but they usually also can’t share them even if they are called to attest against you in a court of law.

8. Attorneys have an ethical duty to put your interest’s firsts This is referred to as a “fiduciary responsibility.” It means an attorney has to do what is in your best interest, and not his or hers. Various rules apply to ensure that attorneys fulfill this duty. For example, attorneys cannot get involved in business contacts with clients to ensure that no conflicts of interest arise.

9. Attorneys must Represent you with a Reasonable Standard of Care They are judged on the basis of what a reasonable attorney would do. If they fail in this duty, you can sue them for malpractice. If they are representing you in a criminal case and don’t behave competently, you may be able to get the verdict overturned and get a new trial.

10. Attorneys have a special Relationship with the Court System All attorneys are sworn in as officers of the court after passing the bar. They thus must act properly and comply with all codes of ethics. Before even being allowed to take the bar exam, attorneys generally have to undergo a moral character or a moral fitness evaluation to ensure they are worthy of becoming an attorney and an officer of the court.

11. Attorneys have to know the Laws in many Different Fields They are judged on the basis of what a reasonable attorney would do. If they fail in this duty, you can sue them for malpractice. If they are representing you in a criminal case and don’t behave competently, you may be able to get the verdict overturned and get a new trial.