For lawyers who are interested in criminal law and defense, there isn't a specific path that a new lawyer would take to become an Ottawa criminal lawyer but there are some steps that can be taken which can streamline the process of becoming a court based litigator. Becoming a public defender or district attorney can greatly enhance the perspective of a potential criminal lawyer as immediate experience will be instantly obtainable so a lawyer will be able to learn very quickly the best methods for defending individuals who have been accused of criminal offenses and require the help of an experienced lawyer.