Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Salary – Find out the answers to questions about how much a criminal defense attorney gets paid and how to help you decide if criminal law is for you.
While studying law, or even before entering law school, you may be thinking about what specific area of law you will focus on. Are you interested in corporate law, labor law and property law? Or are you interested in focusing on criminal defense or prosecution? In all of this, one of your constant concerns will be your future salary.
Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Salary
This article is for anyone who wants to get into criminal law and is wondering: how much does a criminal lawyer earn?
Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost
The average salary for a criminal lawyer in Canada is between $70,000 and $120,000 per year. This is based on different offers, taking into account salaries in different Canadian provinces and territories. However, this average range is only intended as a guide, as every employment situation is different.
The average annual salary for a criminal lawyer in Canada is between $70,000 and $120,000, depending on many factors, both external and within your control. These factors will help you decide if criminal law is for you and if it is worth pursuing.
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For more special reports on top attorneys and firms in other practice areas, visit our Rankings page.
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Where you practice criminal law in Canada is one of the most important factors that determine your salary. Although the average range applies across Canada, lawyers in some provinces may earn more than others. Additionally, legal fees can even vary from city to city or municipality to province.
Higher wages in certain industries may be offset by the higher cost of living rather than the effects of inflation. When predicting your future salary as a criminal lawyer, consider not only the province or territory, but also your daily expenses.
Another factor that affects how much a criminal defense attorney earns is their employer. As a criminal defense attorney, you have two options for where to practice: in government or in private practice.
You also have two options if you want to work for the government as a criminal defense attorney: become a public defender or district attorney.
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Public or Crown defenders represent clients who cannot afford to hire a private attorney for their case (for example, representing them in court in a criminal case against them).
On the other hand, it is prosecutors who evaluate and open criminal cases on behalf of the Canadian government.
If you choose to work as a criminal defense attorney in private practice, you can act as a criminal defense attorney for the defendant. It may also include assisting the complainant in a private proceeding or in presenting a criminal case in the trial court.
Although attorneys in public and private practice may have similar responsibilities, they differ in who their employer is. Defense lawyers or prosecutors are hired by the government through the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) or the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. On the other hand, private law firms employ criminal lawyers in private practice.
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Public or Crown prosecutors in Canada earn on average between $50,000 and $120,000 per year. Compare that to the range of $70,000 to $120,000 per year that private attorneys make, which is not far from what public criminal attorneys make. Again, these are just estimates and may apply differently to each individual.
To read real-life criminal cases and updates on the country’s criminal justice system, visit our Criminal Law Practice Area page.
Finding a job, whether with a private company or the government, is not the only factor that determines how much you will earn as a criminal defense attorney. As with any other job, your position and responsibilities will dictate your salary. Naturally, the higher your position, the higher your salary. When you get promoted, it comes with more responsibility.
Criminal defense law firms operate much like private law firms. Their position is also based on who is older and who is young.
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In a private law firm, newly appointed attorneys often start as partners and are later promoted to higher positions. Below is an example of the different roles of lawyers in a private law firm:
Because these are just typical roles in a law firm, each firm may have its own differences. Others have additional functions than those mentioned above; Some companies even combine different jobs into a single person or role.
It’s a little different when you work for the government. While the principle is the same (the higher the position, the higher the salary but the more responsibilities), when the government hires you as a criminal defense attorney, the specific titles may vary. In most provinces, these titles can be divided into tiers.
As an example, here you will find information about the salaries and classifications of Crown prosecutors in the Alberta Public Prosecution Service:
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Being hired as a criminal lawyer is not only the basis of your salary, but also of your position in the company or office.
It is a requirement that criminal lawyers in Canada know the Federal Criminal Code. This is in addition to other criminal provisions contained in other laws at both the federal and provincial levels. Because there are so many different crimes in the Code and statutes, there are many opportunities for you to specialize in different areas of criminal law.
Specialization not only sets you apart from other attorneys, it also determines how much you earn as a criminal defense attorney. If you want to work as a criminal defense attorney, these are some of the areas you can specialize in:
Personal development through continuing education depends on your specialty, which also affects how much you earn as a criminal defense attorney.
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Many law schools offer courses that enhance your knowledge of criminal law, its subfields, and other related areas of practice. This may include additional certifications, additional courses, and even obtaining a graduate degree such as a Master of Laws (LLM) or doctorate.
In addition to other LLMs that offer criminal law courses, these are some Canadian law schools that focus on criminal law:
For a complete list of Canadian law schools, visit our detailed report. Includes law degrees, tuition fees, featured professors, and other information.
Continuing education is important because legislation is always evolving. Every year new laws are passed and important court decisions are handed down without our knowledge. This makes continuing education beyond the requirements of the law society important, even after becoming a criminal lawyer.
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If you already want to become a lawyer in Canada, you will have to wait a few years to receive your first salary. Becoming a lawyer takes about eight years, from graduation to the licensing process.
This does not take into account any internal or external obstacles that could add years to your law school career.
There are two people you protect when you practice criminal law: your clients and yourself. The main objective of criminal law is to provide justice to the victims of these crimes and to hear the answers of the criminals and give them a fair day in court.
At the same time, you are also looking at yourself, considering that this area of practice has been financially beneficial to lawyers (whether prosecution or defense). Even if you think about salary, doing justice to your clients remains the best motivation for criminal lawyers and other legal professionals.
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To what extent does criminal law income affect your career choice? Let us know in the comments
Canadian Legal Newswire is a FREE newsletter that keeps you up to date with news and analysis on the Canadian legal landscape. A separate edition of InHouse is published periodically, providing news and information of interest to in-house counsel. When facing federal charges, the question “how much does a federal criminal defense attorney cost?” It’s important. Here’s a quick photo:
Hiring a federal criminal defense attorney is a serious decision. Federal crimes, unlike state crimes, have higher risks and are more complex. From years in prison to heavy fines, legal representation is essential in federal cases. The power and resources of district attorneys make it dangerous not to have an experienced attorney at your side.
A federal criminal case is unique and involves complex laws and procedures that only experienced federal attorneys understand. These cases require careful preparation from the investigation to the trial phase. Failure to provide adequate protection can have dire consequences, including long prison sentences and significant fines.
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I’m Justy Nicol, a former prosecutor turned defense attorney.
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