Whether you’re an aspiring lawyer or you’ve decided to pursue a career in criminal law, there are several steps that you can take to make your career successful. These steps include obtaining a bachelor’s degree, completing your law school education, and gaining experience in the field by assisting or working as an intern with a criminal defense lawyer.
Prepare for law school: Your first step is to start taking courses at an accredited university. You’ll need at least 90 credits to complete your law degree, spread out over three years. You’ll also need to study for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is a required part of your application process.
Intern with a criminal defense attorney: You can find many small firms that need clerical and support staff assistance throughout the year. This is an excellent way to get a feel for the work that a criminal lawyer does, and it will give you some idea of what your future career could be like.
Be prepared for long, irregular hours: A career as a criminal lawyer often requires long, unpredictable hours. You’ll meet with clients at the courthouse, prisons and other venues to discuss their case, and you’ll need to stay up to date on changes in laws and regulations that affect your practice.
Build a strong legal strategy: Once you’ve interviewed defendants and found witnesses, you’ll need to put together a strategy that will help your client win their case. This might involve writing a brief, conducting research or presenting evidence in court.
Defend clients: When you’re ready to defend your client, you’ll need to present your legal argument in court. This is an important and demanding task that you’ll likely spend a lot of time on, so it’s crucial that you have good communication skills and the ability to think quickly on your feet.
Be a positive team player: A career as a criminal lawyer means working closely with other attorneys, judges and police officers to represent your client’s best interests in court. This can be challenging and emotionally draining, but it’s rewarding in the end. Recommended this site worker compensation lawyers .
Work as a public defender or in private practice: You can begin your criminal law career as a public defender, which is an ideal way to gain experience in the field. Most municipalities employ multiple public defenders to provide legal services to citizens who cannot afford their own attorney. In addition, you can open your own firm to serve the local community.
Use your legal skills to improve the lives of others: A career as a criminal lawyer is an opportunity to help people who are facing serious charges and need legal representation. You can make a difference in your community by working pro bono as a criminal defense lawyer for religious charities and other nonprofit organizations.
Consider becoming a criminal law specialist: You can specialize in specific areas of the law by earning additional training or continuing education programs. Some of these courses are offered online and by local colleges or universities.
