The term "defense counsel" is used to describe an attorney who provides legal representation to an individual or organization accused of a crime. Other synonyms for defense counsel include a defense attorney, defense lawyer, defense advocate, and criminal defense lawyer. These professionals specialize in defending their clients against allegations of criminal acts such as fraud, theft, assault, and murder. In the United States, the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees defendants the right to counsel, and defense attorneys play a crucial role in protecting this right. Depending on the jurisdiction, defense counsel may work for a private law firm or a public defender's office, and they are often seen as a crucial component of the justice system.