<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (November 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (November 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer (mostly barristers) specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal activity . Some criminal defense lawyers are privately retained, while others are employed by the various jurisdictions with criminal courts for appointment to represent indigent persons; the latter are generally called public defenders . The terminology is imprecise because each jurisdiction may have different practices with various levels of input from state and federal law or consent decrees . Some jurisdictions use a rotating system of appointments, with judges appointing a private practice attorney or firm for each case . </P> <P> In the United States, criminal defense lawyers deal with the issues surrounding an arrest, a criminal investigation, criminal charges, sentencing, appeals, and post-trial issues . Often an attorney will specialize in a niche within criminal defense, such as drug defense or DUI defense . </P>

What do you call the lawyer who defends