By assisting those in need of legal representation, criminal lawyers are part of the administration of justice in the United States.
Before enrolling in an undergraduate program that can lead to criminal law, aspiring criminal lawyers must first possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Criminal lawyers do not require any particular undergraduate legal education but there are various majors for aspiring criminal lawyers listed in this article
About Criminal Lawyer
Criminal law is a branch of the law that regulates behavior that is dangerous to the public, either in terms of property safety or moral well-being.
Lawmakers draft legislation to specify criminal behavior and set out its consequences for crimes such as stealing and murder, which are prohibited by criminal law.
Criminal laws are designed to restrain people’s behavior and make them more aware of the consequences of their conduct.
Criminal lawyers, also referred to as defense lawyers or public defenders, defend and represent individuals or groups accused of committing crimes.
A criminal lawyer can specialize in various legal disciplines, such as criminal law, commercial law, family law, and constitutional law.
Criminal lawyers deal with a variety of criminal cases, including those involving sex crimes, domestic violence charges, fraud, embezzlement, drug offenses, and other crimes.
They occasionally take on pro bono cases or stand up for people who can’t afford legal counsel. Criminal attorneys may be seen by the general public when working on high-profile cases.
Duties Of A Criminal Lawyer
Criminal lawyers typically invest hours in research and case preparation before a case goes to trial.
This includes reviewing laws and statutes, gathering evidence to build a case, and reviewing weaknesses that could jeopardize a case before it is presented in court.
Duties of a criminal lawyer include:
- Speaking with witnesses
- Examining the scene of the crime
- The creation of a case strategy
- Constructing a defense
- Assembling witnesses to give evidence in court
- Writing, submitting and presenting appeals
Majors For Aspiring Criminal Lawyer
1.Criminal Justice Major
Criminal justice majors are exposed to a multidisciplinary program that also covers law enforcement, courts, incarceration, criminal conduct, and investigations in addition to criminal law.
Criminal justice majors are qualified to work as parole officers, probation officers, criminal detectives, legal assistants, or criminal lawyers.
Typical course subjects offered include:
- Criminal law
- Criminal investigation
- Law enforcement administration
- Criminology
- Legal Reasoning
- Research in criminal justice
2. Criminology
Criminology majors involve the study of crime, offenders, and the criminal justice system.
Due to the fundamental understanding of crime and law acquired in these degrees, they are preferred options for people interested in law.
Common courses include victimology, criminal justice, criminal law, research methodologies, statistics, and U.S. judicial systems.
Criminal lawyers will develop their capacity for critical thought, research, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication.
Students majoring in criminology will study the development of criminal justice, police procedures, constitutional rights, and the role of the legal system.
A criminal lawyer with a major in criminology will have a solid awareness of the structure and operation of the criminal justice system as well as a comprehensive grasp of the ideas underlying the causes and solutions to crime.
3. Political Science
Criminal lawyers majoring in political science should be ready to learn about political systems, public policy, and the connection between different forms of government and the law.
This major is most likely the college course of study that comes closest to a law school program.
Common courses include early and modern political thinking, economics, law, politics, and justice, as well as American political systems.
Criminal lawyers will gain knowledge about how to do research, evaluate data and documents, and compose a case study.
They’ll also gain a firm understanding of how the government is organized, how laws operate, and who is in charge with a political science degree.
4. Psychology
This degree offers prospective criminal lawyers insight into the human mind as it is the study of human actions.
Criminal lawyers can apply their psychological knowledge to criminal situations and consider how human mistakes might result in erroneous convictions or how occasionally even innocent people render inappropriate decisions.
Biology, history of psychology, neuroscience, sensation, perception, and social psychology are common courses.
The best majors for future criminal lawyers are usually those involving writing, public speaking, and human behavior.
Any communication training will be vital to winning cases, dealing with clients, and more because the practice of law is essentially the pursuit and communication of justice and dispute resolution.
Psychology is effective because it may be used to engage with clients, assist in mediation, and analyze expert behavior.
More Like This: How To Become A Medical Malpractice Lawyer
5. Business
Criminal law majors can discover that management and economics courses are a good fit for their post-graduate professional goals.
To exercise their analytical and critical thinking skills, students must also take electives in the humanities and liberal arts.
Communication, economics, ethics, management, and marketing are common courses.
You’ll gain knowledge of leadership, project management, and communication.
It is greatly recommended that prospective criminal lawyers should consider earning a business degree, or even better, a business administration degree.
Analytical and debate skills, which are taught in business classes, are vital components of law.
You must be able to see a problem, examine it, and create a strong case for your position, and you’ll receive crash training in bargaining and persuasion while in business school.
6. Corrections Major
Students majoring in corrections learn about prison culture and get ready for jobs in jails and prisons.
They might research subjects including justice systems, crisis intervention, and prisoner’s rights.
While most students graduate and begin working in prisons, others elect to participate in academic study in this field.
7. Forensic Science Major
Students can prepare for careers in crime scene investigation and criminal law by studying forensic science, which includes a variety of abilities.
Students in this discipline attend classes on subjects including cybersecurity, forensic analysis, and computer forensics investigations.
They also grow in their ability to pay attention to detail, analyze critically, and solve problems.
8. Police Science Major
The responsibilities of police officers are taught to police science students. They learn how to conduct investigations into crimes, communicate with others, and follow procedures for handling stressful situations.
Some police science majors, including those in law enforcement and border patrol, lead to associate degrees or higher, while others lead to bachelor’s degrees or more advanced education, such as private detective courses.
9. Sociology Major
The study of society and social structures is known as sociology.
Sociology students who concentrate on criminal justice usually complete an associate degree in criminal justice before enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program in sociology.
Opportunities for job advancement in sectors like human services, rehabilitative services, and public relations may be available with this degree.
10. Criminal Psychology Major
Criminal psychology is the study of a criminal’s history and motivations.
A bachelor’s degree is usually required for this major, and students concentrate on theories of human behavior while evaluating and interpreting criminal behavior and action.
Graduate degrees in criminal psychology can be obtained after completing a bachelor’s program.
11. Law Enforcement Administration Major
Majors in law enforcement administration typically have prior experience in law enforcement.
They can take this route to get the management abilities required to supervise and direct police and security personnel.
A bachelor’s degree, prior experience, or certification in law enforcement is required for majoring in law enforcement administration.
12. Rehabilitation Services Major
A major in rehabilitation services includes studying sociological topics. It can also qualify you for employment chances in rehabilitation centers that offer therapy and counseling.
To guarantee you gain the knowledge and abilities necessary for working in this industry, consider pursuing a rehabilitation services major coupled with sociology and psychology.
Criminal Lawyer: Employment And Salary Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2019 and 2029, the employment of all types of lawyers will increase by 4%.
The location, employer, experience, and specialty of law practiced are a few of the variables that affect a criminal lawyer’s pay.
According to data gathered by the BLS, the median annual salary for criminal lawyers in 2020 was $126,930.
Criminal Lawyer: Continuing Education Information
A Juris Doctorate is required for those with undergraduate degrees who want to practice criminal law.
Both full-time and part-time J.D. degree programs are offered by numerous prestigious, large colleges and universities.
Students take electives in a chosen subject in subsequent years, with criminal law being one among them.
Criminal defense, prosecution, processes, evidence, and white-collar crimes are covered in criminal law courses.
A pre-law undergraduate degree is something that students interested in a career in criminal law may want to consider.
To practice criminal law, one must complete more education, specifically a Juris Doctorate.
Read More: Lawyer Vs Doctor
How To Become A Criminal Lawyer
The completion of an undergraduate and graduate degree, acing the bar exam, and earning a law license is required for becoming a criminal lawyer.
Follow the steps below to become a criminal lawyer:
1.Get A Bachelor’s Degree
You need a bachelor’s degree from an authorized university before you can apply to law school.
You can check the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to see if your preferred school is accredited.
Whatever your major, earning a degree in criminal justice is advantageous since its courses provide a solid grounding in the field.
These classes might cover:
- Introduction to Criminology:
The criminal justice system, crime, and criminals are the main topics of this course. Professors and students try to understand criminal behavior, investigate the various sorts of crime, and provide recommendations for crime prevention.
- Law Enforcement Administration
Students learn about the function of law enforcement administrators in this course. This entails making sure that police forces and other law enforcement agencies function efficiently.
- Correctional Administration
This course explores the functions of correctional administrators, including budget management, oversight of correctional officers, and upkeep of secure and hygienic prisons.
- Criminal Administration
This course focuses on the activities of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement and the judicial systems.
2. Pass The Law School Admissions Test
Once you have earned your bachelor’s degree, you must take the LSAT, which is a prerequisite for getting into law school.
This standardized test, LSAT, measures a candidate’s reading, verbal, and analytical reasoning abilities.
The test results are used by admissions personnel for law schools to evaluate applicants’ legal acumen.
It is offered four times a year, in February, June, September, and December, and it has five multiple-choice question parts plus a writing example.
3. Prepare For Law School
Researching a school’s curriculum and the available fields of study is essential before applying.
The legal profession offers a wide range of specialties, so ensure you choose a school that offers numerous courses in your area of interest.
You are now prepared to begin applying to law schools once you have received your bachelor’s degree and passed the LSAT.
But before you start applying, follow the steps below:
- Register with a Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
Your transcripts and letters of recommendation are sent to CAS, who then packages and sends them on to the schools of your choice.
There is a cost associated with this service, so you need to register and send in your transcripts as soon as possible.
- Collect letters of recommendation
You can request strong letters of recommendation from your instructors, former or current coworkers, or church leaders who can attest to your moral character and work ethic.
- Write a personal statement
As part of their application, prospective criminal lawyers must prepare a concise 500-word statement.
Students have the option of writing on an assigned topic or a topic of their choosing. The word limit must be adhered to because going above it could hurt your chances of admission.
4. Earn A Law Degree
Graduates of law schools are awarded a J.D., which is a nationally recognized degree provided by 205 law schools that hold ABA accreditation.
For three years, 90 credits are earned in law school and the first year is made up of classes that give you exposure to various legal contexts.
Several of these courses include:
- Constitutional Law
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of a state or country are learned in this course, together with their respective functions and organizational frameworks.
- Criminal Law
The body of law that governs criminal offenses is taught in this course.
- Civil Procedure
The study of procedures that are used in non-criminal cases is taught in this course.
5. Pass the MPRE
The MPRE, Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination, is a requirement in all of the states and jurisdictions in America with the exceptions of Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, and Maryland.
In some states, you must pass this exam before you can sit for the bar exam and the MPRE covers legal ethics, which is two hours long.
6. Obtain Your Law License
Each state has its standards and methods for appointing lawyers and administering the bar exam.
Ensure you check the requirements for the state you want to practice in before applying for admission to a state bar.
While many jurisdictions have embraced the Uniform Bar Exam, some states have developed their distinctive exams.
You can transfer your score to other states that have implemented the UBE if you pass it, but different states could have different minimum passing marks.
The bar test is administered twice a year, once in the summertime around June or July and once in the wintertime, around February.
7. Gain Work Experience
When prospective criminal lawyers gain experience, such as volunteering for social service organizations or working in a courtroom, they can land a competitive position.
You can obtain work experience by:
- Searching for internships
A public defender internship is a great opportunity to establish your reputation and obtain practical criminal law experience.
You will get to collaborate closely with a public defender and probably go to court with them. Your legal education may also benefit from pursuing an internship with a criminal law judge.
Law schools that accept credit for externships exist and you can aim for an internship with a federal court or a state criminal judge.
Judaical externs have the opportunity to observe how judges rule in court proceedings and learn which arguments they find convincing and which ones they do not.
Judicial externs perform tasks like reading through oral arguments, writing bench orders, and doing case law research.
- Serving as a partner for a criminal defense lawyer
During the summer, you can work as an associate or clerk for an attorney. When possibilities arise, reputable businesses post them through the job center at your school.
When applying for a job, employers frequently need a writing sample, so try to gain writing experience from your summer gigs.
- Targeting clinical opportunities
A law school clinic is a fantastic opportunity to obtain practical experience in criminal law.
You may be given duties to offer actual legal services to people involved in the criminal justice system by a clinical faculty member.
Additionally, you can set up jail releases and question clients and witnesses.
FAQ
What is the best major to become a lawyer?
History.
Business.
English.
Philosophy.
Political Science.
Economics.
Arts and Humanities.
Psychology.
Which subject is best for criminal lawyer?
Lawyers can enroll in specialized courses in criminology and forensic science, cybercrime, domestic violence, human rights, and sexual abuse after completing their LLB and LLM degrees.
What are the 6 major areas of criminology?
The areas are Criminal Law and Jurisprudence, Law Enforcement Administration, Forensics/Criminalistics, Crime Detection and Investigation, Sociology of Crimes and Ethics, and Correctional Administration.
What did most lawyers major in?
Candidates for law school most frequently declare political science as their major. The relationship between law and political theory is very strong, which explains why many effective politicians are also attorneys.
How many years does it take to study criminal law?
It will typically take four years to finish the prerequisites for your undergraduate criminal justice degree if you elect to enroll as a full-time students.
What are the main subject for criminal law?
Criminal law is concerned with the criminal code and the laws that are specifically related to criminal offenses, accusations, trials, and penalties for criminals who are found guilty. Criminal law is primarily concerned with determining if a suspect broke the law, what the repercussions were, and what punishments they would be deserving of if found guilty.
What are your top 3 preferred career in criminology?
Investigator.
Forensic specialist.
Social worker.
Does criminology need math?
Yes, a knowledge of mathematics, particularly statistics, is necessary for criminology. Academics must have the ability to examine elements like incarceration rates, economic trends, and other such things.
What grades do you need for criminology?
A BTEC in a relevant field with distinction grades and five GCSEs with a grade of 5 (C) or higher, including math and English language, is also required.
Should I study criminology?
If you study criminology, you can take on a highly valuable job for society. You could be addressing crime, researching the causes of criminal behavior, and enhancing programs for education, rehabilitation, and crime prevention
Conclusion
Most majors for aspiring criminal lawyers in this article provide the necessary abilities and information required for students thinking about a career in law.
However, no major will guarantee a student a letter of acceptance to law school, and no major will automatically exclude a student.
Whatever major prospective criminal lawyers finally decide to pursue, having a strong undergraduate GPA and a scorching LSAT score will increase their chances of getting accepted into a top-tier school and starting their career.
