7 Reasons Being A Criminal Lawyer May Not Be For You

Pursuing a career as a lawyer is one of the most challenging careers people can have in the professional world. Lawyers carry a responsibility that could alter another person’s life for a lifetime. But even though it’s challenging, many dream of becoming a lawyer because of the sense of accomplishment it brings them.

 

There are many types of law practice you can choose from if you plan to pursue becoming a lawyer. Criminal law is the most confidential, challenging, and demanding law practice. Britannica defines criminal law as the body of law that defines criminal offences and regulates the apprehension, charging, and trial of suspected persons.

 

Criminal lawyers work on cases that affect people mentally, emotionally, and physically. The public often judges criminal lawyers due to the sensitivity and nature of the cases. Indeed, criminal law is not for everyone. One must be emotionally and mentally capable of working and dealing with people involved in heinous and sensitive crimes. If you’re studying to become a criminal lawyer but are doubtful if it’s right for you, this post is for you. Here are reasons why being a criminal lawyer may not be for you.

 

1 – You’re highly empathetic.

Having empathy is critical and helpful in becoming a criminal lawyer. However, there’s a limit to how much you should feel towards the people you work with. When highly empathetic, you may start making decisions based on your emotions and rule out logic.

 

Since criminal lawyers handle sensitive and confidential cases, having empathy is critical to help them make humane decisions that benefit their clients. However, if you let your empathy rule your decisions, actions, and words, you can miss many things that could help your case. If you have strong empathy, it could affect your decisions as a criminal lawyer for the worse or better.

 

2 – You don’t like working with different people.

Another critical aspect of being a criminal lawyer is working and dealing with different people. Aside from clients, you will communicate with people at crime scenes and deal with people from various fields to coordinate your case. It is a part of your daily work as a criminal lawyer, whether you like it or not.

 

If you don’t like working with different people, fulfilling your tasks as a criminal lawyer would be challenging. You won’t be successful with your case if you refuse to communicate and work with various people. Even though you’re the only one representing your client in court, many people behind the scenes contribute to your success. That’s why being comfortable in this is highly critical.

 

3 – You don’t respond to criticisms well.

Another indicator that could tell pursuing a criminal law career is not for you is if you don’t respond to criticisms well. It’s no secret that criminal lawyers are always in the public eye because of the confidentiality and sensitivity of their cases. Whether you’re representing a defendant or plaintiff, criticisms happen.

 

If you don’t respond to criticisms well, becoming a criminal lawyer may not be for you. Many lawyers use criticism to fuel themselves to do well in their cases. You’ll also hear many people’s opinions on every word and action you take. That’s why being bulletproof to criticisms and learning not to take things personally is critical as a criminal lawyer.

 

4 – You can’t manage stress well.

‘Stressful’ is one of the best words to describe the nature of a criminal lawyer’s work. The depth and weight of the cases they handle can cause emotional, mental, and physical stress, especially if a lawyer does not respond to them well. It could affect their well-being since they work with different people and may represent clients who have committed heinous and sensitive crimes.

 

A visible sign that could tell you criminal law is not for you if you know you don’t respond to stress well. Stress is a part of a criminal lawyer’s job regardless of their efforts, hard work, and attitude. Being a criminal lawyer may not be for you if you’re not okay with having constant stressors in your professional life.

 

5 – You don’t like working for long hours.

Another critical factor that could tell you’re not for becoming a criminal lawyer is you hate working long hours. Unlike most corporate jobs, criminal lawyers don’t work for only eight hours a day. Most of the time, they extend their work all night, especially when handling critical cases.

 

If you don’t like working long hours and only want to stick to a specific work schedule, this may not be for you. Of course, that’s not how it is daily. However, if you’re handling many cases and have deadlines, it’s inevitable to work long hours. 

 

6 – You hate the challenge of finding evidence.

One of the things that affects a criminal case is the process of finding evidence that will support your case. Lawyers go through many conversations and retrace their client’s whereabouts to support their stance. That involves doing minimal physical movements to find evidence.

 

If you don’t like the challenge of doing mental, psychological, and physical activities, being a criminal lawyer may not be for you. As a criminal lawyer, you will use your analytical and physical skills to find evidence that helps you form strategies that benefit your clients.

 

7 – You don’t like beating around the bush.

Last but not least, you don’t like beating around the bush. As a criminal lawyer, you will work with clients who lie or tell you the truth. Regardless of the type of case you’ll handle, you’ll eventually work with a client who will beat around the bush to avoid answering your questions.

 

Sometimes, it’s not the clients that beat around the bush. Even the suspects and other people involved in the case will do anything to avoid telling the truth if the truth could endanger them. If you don’t like decoding people’s statements and words, being a criminal lawyer may not be for you.

 

If you relate to most of these, this could be your sign.

Even if these signs relate to you, but you still want to become a criminal lawyer, you are free to do so. You know yourself better than anyone. But if you see that these signs describe you and these things won’t make you efficient, then it could be a sign that it’s not for you.

Written by Bianca Banda

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