Criminal law attorneys are those who specialize in dealing with criminal charges. They help the people who are charged either get acquitted, a reduction in the severity of the charges, or a more relaxed sentence, depending on the nature of the crime committed and the criminal record of the defendant.nnRegardless of the the crime the accused is charged with, and whether they are guilty of it or not, criminal law attorneys will be able to help in some way. Even if they know that their client is guilty, they will still take on a case and defend them in court. Good criminal law attorneys will fight for you and believe in your innocence.nnThey should work on the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and should leave their personal opinions out of the case. They will work with you and use their understanding of the law to develop a defense that will convince the judge and jury to either acquit you of the crime or go easy on you in sentencing. Whether you be facing charges from another person or the state, they will defend you to the best of their ability.nnWhen are criminal law attorneys needed? Well, for any charge more serious than a minor traffic offense. Literally any case that could possibly entail a custodial sentence is one that they can assist with. If you happen to be charged with anything more than a minor offence, then you would be taking a major risk to attend court without the help of one. To do so would almost certainly end with you being given an unfavorable penalty or sentence.nnAnd, how do you find yourself criminal law attorneys? Your local courthouse will appoint a criminal law attorney for you if you cannot afford one, because you are legally entitled to have representation even if you cannot afford to hire a lawyer on your own. In the event that you can afford to hire your own lawyer, remember that you have a free consultation with many local lawyers and do not be afraid to call around to several and utilize it.nnHaving confidence in your lawyer is important – you must feel that you can trust them and that they are doing their best for you. If you cannot find local referrals, use an internet directory to help you find the best criminal lawyer for your needs.nnHow much they charge for their services is based upon the nature of the case, the severity of the crime, and the amount of time it takes them to prepare for, and be in attendance, at the court proceedings. Fees do tend to be high, but clients do not always have to pay them, as they may be entitled to some form of legal aid. Try not to take a short-sighted view as far as fees go because cutting costs on your legal representation could easily lead to you receiving a harsher penalty or sentence which could well lead to you being out of work longer in the long-term.