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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Defence & Prosecution

Defence lawyer

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/dɪˈfens ˌlɔːjə/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, defence lawyer means: A lawyer who represents a suspect or defendant, protects their rights and argues their side of the case against the prosecution.

In Turkish: müdafi, ceza avukatı, sanık avukatı

How it is used

British English says 'defence lawyer', 'defence solicitor' or 'defence barrister'; American English says 'defense attorney' or 'defense lawyer'. A suspect can ask for a defence lawyer at the police station, and in court the defence lawyer cross-examines prosecution witnesses.

Example sentences

  1. Her defence lawyer argued that the police search was unlawful.

  2. He refused to answer questions until his defence lawyer arrived.

  3. The defense lawyer asked the jury to look carefully at the timeline.

Common collocations

  • the defence lawyer argued
  • instruct a defence lawyer
  • experienced defence lawyer
  • defense attorney
  • defenceThe side in a criminal trial that represents the defendant; also a legal reason that can free a defendant from liability, such as self-defence.
  • public defenderIn the US, a lawyer paid by the government to defend people who are charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire their own lawyer.
  • legal aidMoney or free legal services provided by the state to help people who cannot afford a lawyer, especially when they face criminal charges.
  • prosecutorA lawyer who works for the state and brings criminal cases to court, trying to prove that the defendant is guilty.
  • defendantThe person who has been charged with a crime and is being tried in court; in a civil case, the person who is being sued.

More terms: Defence & Prosecution

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.