defense attorney

This term refers specifically to the legal professional tasked with protecting the rights of the accused. It carries a connotation of advocacy and adversarial opposition to the prosecution or the plaintiff. In a legal register, it is a precise professional designation, though in casual conversation, it is often shortened to "defense lawyer."

While the term is used broadly across various legal systems, it specifically implies a role of shielding a client from legal penalties or liabilities. It is distinct from a "prosecutor," who represents the state, and a "judge," who remains an impartial arbiter.