Dodgy lawyer contributing to defendant's hysteria (7)
I believe the answer is:
shyster
'dodgy lawyer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'contributing to defendant's hysteria' is the wordplay.
'contributing to' indicates a hidden word.
'SHYSTER' is hidden in the letters of 'defendants hysteria'.
(Other definitions for shyster that I've seen before include "Unscrupulous or disreputable person" , "Unscrupulous dealer" , "Informally, an unscrupulous or unprofessional person - sounds bashful?" , "One using discred-itable methods" , "Suspect lawyer" .)