How much money do lawyers make working in criminal law?
Income for lawyers working in the justice system vary greatly. Typically, prosecutors and public defenders work for a standard salary, which can be very low, especially for entry-level attorneys. In many cases, these lawyers may make less than a typical high school teacher (but follow prescribed increases for government employees). On the other hand, lawyers in private practice, such as partners in large firms with white-collar criminal defense practices can demand enormous fees, placing them in the top percent of earners in the US. However, many of these partners began by working in the public sector as prosecutors or public defenders, because those positions typically allow for the most trial experience.
