What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A criminal defense lawyer is an attorney who represents individuals or organizations accused of committing crimes, from minor offenses to serious felonies. They advise clients during police questioning, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and advocate in court to secure acquittals, reduced charges, or fair sentences.

Modern criminal defense work spans violent crimes, domestic violence, drug offenses, cybercrime, and complex white‑collar or financial allegations. In many jurisdictions, including Turkey and the United States, these lawyers must understand both procedural rules and technical evidence such as digital forensics and financial records to protect their clients effectively.

How Criminal Defense Lawyers Protect Clients

From the earliest stage of an investigation, a criminal defense lawyer safeguards core rights such as the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, and protection against unlawful searches or detention. They appear at police stations or detention hearings, seek access to the case file where permitted, and move quickly to challenge coercive interrogations or procedural violations.

As a case proceeds, they review discovery, identify illegally obtained or unreliable evidence, cross‑examine witnesses, and present alternative narratives supported by documents, experts, or alibi witnesses. In white‑collar and business‑related cases, they may file urgent motions to narrow search warrants, protect privileged corporate data, and unfreeze bank accounts so that companies can continue operating while defending the charges.

Criminal defense practice is increasingly international, with lawyers in major cities such as Istanbul frequently representing foreign nationals and cross‑border businesses facing investigations. These cases require coordination with translators, forensic specialists, and foreign counsel to address overlapping criminal, immigration, and regulatory consequences.

At the same time, bar associations and human rights groups have reported troubling trends in some countries, including the prosecution of defense lawyers under anti‑terror laws simply for representing politically sensitive clients. This raises serious concerns about the independence of the legal profession and reinforces the importance of international protections that prohibit states from punishing lawyers for fulfilling their professional duties.