What is the difference between "abogado" and "letrado" in Spanish?
References to the US legal system would be helpful because I think my confustion might come from not understanding how the legal systems in Spain and Latin America work.

I have read that letrados are not necesarily abogados, but I have also read that they mean exactly the same thing (like lawyer/attorney).

Would there be some lawyers in the US who you would call abogados but not letrados and vice verse?

Could every lawyer in the US be called either abogado or letrado?

Question

What is the difference between "abogado" and "letrado" in Spanish?
References to the US legal system would be helpful because I think my confustion might come from not understanding how the legal systems in Spain and Latin America work.

I have read that letrados are not necesarily abogados, but I have also read that they mean exactly the same thing (like lawyer/attorney).

Would there be some lawyers in the US who you would call abogados but not letrados and vice verse?  
 
Could every lawyer in the US be called either abogado or letrado?

Answer

Letrado = The Law Man.  
También para alguien que ha estudiado en la universidad y en España para algunos juristas.

Abogado = this word should always used when referring to the profession.

Answer

The word "abogado" is the most general one and the most commonly used. "Letrado" is often used as a more elegant but less common synonym. In Spain it's usually those lawers working in public institutions such as those in the Constitutional Court who are called letrados, but any lawyer might be called letrado, even if the word "abogado" is more common.

Answer

Abogado and Letrado can be used interchangeably without little difference, very similar to Attorney and Lawyer.

Now there is a difference between Abogado/Letrado and Procurador!

Abogado usually gives legal advice and accompanies you to court, while procurador actually represents you in court without you being there.