A defense lawyer is a broad term that encompasses attorneys who represent clients in various legal matters, including criminal cases. On the other hand, a criminal lawyer specifically focuses on criminal law and represents individuals accused of committing crimes. While defense lawyers may handle civil cases, criminal lawyers exclusively deal with criminal charges. Criminal lawyers possess specialized knowledge of criminal statutes, procedures, and defenses. Both terms are often used interchangeably, but a criminal lawyer's practice is limited to criminal defense, while a defense lawyer may have a broader legal scope. In summary, all criminal lawyers are defense lawyers, but not all defense lawyers exclusively practice criminal law.