criminal justice career goals essay

Plagiarism checker

Writing help, paraphrasing tool, criminal justice career goals: navigating the path.

Crime , Criminal Justice , Education System

How it works

1 INTRODUCTION
2 II: BEGINNING STUDIES
3 III: JURIS DOCTOR(J.D) PROGRAM
4 IV: THE BAR EXAM
5 V: GAINING MORE EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD
6.1 What does a career in criminal law look like?
6.2 What are the skills a successful criminal lawyer needs?
7 VII: INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH SKILLS
8 VIII: WRITING AND ORATORY SKILLS
9 IX: OUTSTANDING INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
10 X: OTHER IMPORTANT SKILLS
11 XI: THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
12 XII: BECOMING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
13 XIII: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
14 XIV: CRIMINAL LAWYER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
15 XV: CRIMINAL LAWYER SALARY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
16 XVI: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION
17 XVII: CRIMINAL LAWYER SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
18 XVIII: JOB OUTLOOK

INTRODUCTION

Criminal law comprises a set of rules that establish the punishment for various types of crimes. In civil law, individuals engage in disputes over their right and wrong, whereas in criminal law, the prosecution argues whether governmental authorities should punish an individual for a particular act. Criminal law plays an essential role in society, protecting the rights of individuals, their possessions, and civil liberties. For this reason, an expert in criminal law is usually a highly esteemed member of the community able to work within the parameters set by the justice system. A career in criminal law brings a combination of challenge and excitement. It can be demanding and sometimes even dangerous, but there are numerous advantages to choosing this path. Among these are a broad selection of career opportunities, rewarding compensation and benefits packages, and the personal fulfillment of being directly involved in shaping a better world. If you plan to become a criminal law expert, attending law school is an important step. When selecting a school, several factors can influence the decision, such as location, academic curricula, type of courses provided (on-campus or hybrid), and the accreditation the institution holds.

II: BEGINNING STUDIES

Iii: juris doctor(j.d) program.

Since there is no undergraduate law degree in the U.S., the most important professional law degree is the Juris Doctor (J.D.), which is earned at law school. This degree makes you eligible to enter the bar and become a fully-fledged criminal lawyer. Established towards the end of the 19th century to improve the training of law professionals, the J.D. The program has remained almost unchanged for more than 100 years. During the course, participants study substantive law and explore various professional applications. Interestingly, many schools do not require students to write a mandatory final thesis to earn the degree. Vast written projects are sometimes needed, but these are intermediate educational milestones rather than final dissertations.

If you study full-time, earning the J.D. usually requires three or more academic years. Once you complete your training, no apprenticeship is necessary before entering the bar exam. While some parts of the J.D. curricula can be studied online, all programs require at least some on-campus engagement. Choosing a hybrid format may provide some flexibility to juggle your studies with other competing priorities. If you are wondering what the curriculum might look like at various law schools, most of them have a set of mandatory courses, which include civil procedure, model penal code, restatement of property, and constitutional law. Besides these, you will also study legal research and writing, commercial code, and restatement of contracts.

IV: THE BAR EXAM

After earning your J.D., it is time to consider your next career steps. You can either pass the bar exam and begin work as a criminal lawyer or advance your studies with a postdoctoral degree in the field. You can become, for instance, a doctor of juridical science.

To be admitted into the bar, most U.S. jurisdictions require applicants to pass the bar examination. Various territories and states use agencies that report to the state supreme courts to run these exams. As you might expect, this test is extremely difficult and takes place over 2 or 3 days.

The so-called uniform bar examination (UBE) is standardized and includes three different components. This test comprises 200 multiple-choice questions related to 7 critical law areas. These include criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, federal rules of civil procedure, contracts, real property, federal rules of evidence, and torts. The MEE includes six essay questions, each with a duration of 30 minutes, which assess a candidate’s ability to analyze, understand, and communicate in writing different legal issues. Besides the topics covered in the MBE test, the MEE includes questions on commercial and business law, estates and probate law, conflicts of law, and even family law. Situated in a fictional state (Franklin), the MPT is a closed-universe exam. After receiving a case file and a library that includes the required substantive law, the candidate must perform a typical lawyering task.

One way to broaden your professional experience during law school is to enter a judicial clerkship. Regardless of the area you plan to practice in, there are numerous advantages to completing a clerkship. You gain invaluable, hands-on experience that may give you a competitive advantage if you seek scholarships, fellowships, or internships after graduation. Most judges are typically happy to act as mentors and share their wealth of know-how and judiciary expertise with you. It is a chance to witness a broad array of cases and explore various procedural or substantive law issues, taking your general law knowledge to the next level, as well as that you get to see numerous lawyers at work, some more gifted than others, and understand how they leverage various techniques and adapt their strategies on a case-by-case basis.

V: GAINING MORE EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD

Another effective way to gain more experience and develop your tactical and strategic planning skills is to take criminal trial advocacy courses. Such courses give you a glimpse into what’s really going on in a trial and get you familiar with stepping into courtrooms. Criminal trial advocacy teaches you how to represent your clients effectively. Criminal trial advocacy teaches you how to represent your clients effectively. Plus, it hones secondary skills, such as properly selecting jurors, examining witnesses, delivering closing arguments, and finding strategic ways to lead events toward your planned outcome. You can explore generic persuasion principles, learn how to assure the jurors that your claims are valid, and even participate in mock trials, which represent a hugely valuable exercise in oral advocacy.

There are no specific licensure requirements for criminal attorneys besides successfully passing the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice. Nevertheless, as a criminal lawyer, there are possibilities to earn different board certifications. The American Bar Association (ABA) founded the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) to improve the overall quality of trial advocacy. Criminal lawyers who are NBLSC-certified remain active board members for up to 5 years and have to meet several reporting requirements annually.

VI: COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT BEING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

There are also many questions commonly asked about the journey through law school, especially those pertaining to proper education and where to start along the path to your future career. Why choose an accredited law school or program?

It is crucial to choose an educational institution that’s fully accredited, or that offers accredited law programs in criminal law. A degree from an accredited program proves that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to start practicing right away. ABA-approved and accredited programs and institutions that confer the J.D. degree. In most U.S. states, you need a law degree from an accredited school to enter the bar. Accredited schools also tend to lead to better employment opportunities for graduates than unaccredited ones.

What does a career in criminal law look like?

Once you have earned your J.D. and successfully passed the bar examination, you might find yourself wondering what kind of career you are most suited to. If criminal law is the field that most interests you, it can be helpful to explore several possibilities and career paths before assuming a specific role. You might, for example, decide to become a criminal defense lawyer or a prosecuting attorney. No matter which of these you choose, you need to pass the bar exam to start work in your preferred state. The main difference between these two roles is that the criminal defense lawyer serves the interests of the person charged with a particular crime, whilst the prosecuting attorney works for the federal government or the state.

What are the skills a successful criminal lawyer needs?

Taking on the challenging career of a criminal lawyer requires numerous skills and abilities. Some of these will help you earn your law degrees; others may prove helpful once you start working. Some of the vital skills and critical competencies that successful criminal lawyers bring to the table include legal experience and in-depth knowledge; a thorough understanding of local, state, or federal rules and regulations will help you efficiently navigate criminal justice. It is also important to know the ins and outs of evidentiary laws or court procedures and have strong analytical skills. Creative thinking and excellent analytical skills can help you develop the right legal strategy to tackle even the most complex cases.

VII: INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH SKILLS

When building your clients case and putting together a strong defense, research skills, and investigative abilities play a key part. Deductive skills, coupled with logic and astute reasoning, can help to organize and validate your strategy.

VIII: WRITING AND ORATORY SKILLS

To successfully convince a judge or a jury of the legitimacy of your case, you need to hone your written and oral advocacy skills. Arguing a clients corner can be challenging, so mastering body language and learning how to become more persuasive can be important.

IX: OUTSTANDING INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Exceptional interpersonal skills and communication abilities are crucial in building a solid client-lawyer relationship that is based on understanding and trust.

X: OTHER IMPORTANT SKILLS

Another useful skill is the ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information. Take, for instance, eyewitness testimonies. Widely considered to be among the most precise types of evidence, the reality is often the opposite. Memory distortions happen often, and unconscious bias plays a role. Thus, relying solely on eyewitness memories can lead to mistakes and misidentifications.

XI: THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

The district attorney, also known as prosecuting attorney, is the primary law enforcement officer and prosecutor in a particular county. They lead other state prosecutors and handle the most important local trials. To become a criminal prosecutor, you need a J.D. and to pass the bar examination in your state. Clerkships and internships can support this professional goal. Prosecutors represent the state against the accused. They initiate and oversee legal proceedings concerning individuals charged with various crimes. Prosecutors usually play an active role in investigations by collecting pertinent information or collaborating directly with the police. As a prosecuting attorney, you commonly deal with witnesses that were involved in a particular crime. Prosecuting attorneys may find themselves working more than 40 hours per week. They frequently appear before the courts, which is often where they spend the majority of their time. In addition, they conduct research and prepare or review documents and evidence.

The work of a prosecuting attorney is mentally challenging and involves long hours spent in front of computers and courts. Therefore, it is important that the financial compensation adequately reflects this. In 2020, the median salary for lawyers, including prosecuting attorneys, criminal lawyers, and other similar roles, was $126,930.

XII: BECOMING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Once you have earned your J.D., entered the state bar, and developed a keen interest in criminal law, you may also want to consider a career as a criminal defense attorney. Besides researching facts and conducting investigations to serve your clients, these attorneys are called upon to negotiate with the prosecutors and adversaries in the courtroom. The aim is to establish favorable deals for clients, including reduced sentences, charges, or bail.

A criminal defense attorney is a law expert who can adequately evaluate their clients chances of winning a trial and who is able to minimize the sentence and negotiate a good plea deal. In contrast, criminal defense lawyers play an active part in defending the accused, although their role is limited to the courtroom.

XIII: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

There is the option of becoming either a private or a public criminal defense attorney. Public defenders are appointed by the court to represent incriminated citizens. They typically earn less than private criminal defense attorneys and have higher work volumes. Private attorneys are hired directly by clients to represent them in the courts. Those capable of hiring an attorney usually have access to more data and defense possibilities. There are also significant differences between state and federal defense attorneys. If someone has been arrested by a federal officer an FBI agent, for instance, a federal defense attorney should step in for his defense. State defense attorneys defend clients accused or arrested by state or local police officers. Criminal lawyers, also known as criminal defense lawyers and public defenders, work to defend individuals, organizations, and entities that have been charged with a crime. Criminal lawyers handle a diverse spectrum of criminal cases, ranging from domestic violence crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, and drug crimes to driving under the influence (DUI), theft, embezzlement, and fraud.

XIV: CRIMINAL LAWYER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Criminal lawyers represent defendants facing criminal charges in state, federal, and appellate courts. Their scope of practice includes bail bond hearings, plea bargains, trials, revocation hearings (parole or probation), appeals, and post-conviction remedies. As part of the lawyer’s job functions, a criminal lawyer will: Investigate the case and interview witnesses, research case law, statutes, crimes codes, and procedural law, build a defense and develop a case strategy, negotiate with the prosecution to plea bargain to lesser charges, and as important court responsibilities of the lawyer, draft, file and argue motions such as motions to dismiss and motions to suppress, advocate for the defendant at trial, which means to defend your client, and draft, file and argue appeals for court dates and trials.

XV: CRIMINAL LAWYER SALARY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Criminal lawyer salaries vary depending on the size and scope of the practice, the clientele the firm serves, and the geographic location of the firm. Public defender and non-profit salaries are usually modest (the $30,000 to $50,000 range is common). Criminal lawyers employed in law firms generally earn the highest salaries; experienced criminal attorneys can earn well into the six figures. The highest-paid criminal lawyers are often those that represent high-profile, wealthy defendants in high-stakes cases. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the salary range for all attorneys, including criminal attorneys, is as follows: Median Annual Salary: $120,910 ($58.13 /hour), Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $208,000 ($100/hour), and finally, Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $58,220 ($27.99/hour). Source of Information: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018

Most criminal lawyers work in private practice or in a solo firm. Some work for non-profit agencies or for the government as public defenders. Criminal lawyers often work long, irregular hours. They frequently meet with clients outside their office at the courthouse, prisons, hospitals, and other venues. Most criminal lawyers maintain a local practice. However, for criminal attorneys with a national practice, frequent travel is required. Most attorneys work full-time hours, and many work over 40 hours each week. Attorneys working either in large firms or in private practice often work extra hours, preparing and reviewing documents and conducting research.

XVI: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION

The education and other requirements to practice as a criminal attorney are as follows: Education: Like all lawyers, criminal lawyers must first complete a bachelor’s degree, then obtain a law degree. The two degrees typically take a total of seven years to complete. License: Criminals attorneys must pass the bar examination in the state in which they intend to practice. Certification: Some criminal lawyers earn board certification from the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC). The NBLSC is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Bar Association to provide board certification for attorneys and is an outgrowth of the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

XVII: CRIMINAL LAWYER SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary to build a strong client-attorney relationship. Criminal defendants are a finicky group who sometimes go through many lawyers before settling on one they like. Therefore, the ability to attract and retain clients is essential to a thriving criminal defense practice.

XVIII: JOB OUTLOOK

Criminal law is a growing practice niche. As crime rates spiral upward and criminal laws change, the number of people sentenced to prison has risen nearly threefold over the past 30 years. Crime rates have increased, and prison populations are exploding across the country. As new criminal laws are codified, and more Americans are charged under state and federal laws, the need for criminal lawyers to defend the accused will also rise. According to the BLS, the growth in jobs for all attorneys, including criminal attorneys, from 2016-2026 relative to other occupations and industries is 8%. This growth rate compares to the projected 7% growth for all occupations.Â

The deadline is too short to read someone else's essay

Cite this page.

Criminal Justice Career Goals: Navigating the Path. (2023, Jun 19). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/criminal-justice-career-goals-navigating-the-path/

"Criminal Justice Career Goals: Navigating the Path." PapersOwl.com , 19 Jun 2023, https://papersowl.com/examples/criminal-justice-career-goals-navigating-the-path/

PapersOwl.com. (2023). Criminal Justice Career Goals: Navigating the Path . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/criminal-justice-career-goals-navigating-the-path/ [Accessed: 9 Sep. 2023]

"Criminal Justice Career Goals: Navigating the Path." PapersOwl.com, Jun 19, 2023. Accessed September 9, 2023. https://papersowl.com/examples/criminal-justice-career-goals-navigating-the-path/

"Criminal Justice Career Goals: Navigating the Path," PapersOwl.com , 19-Jun-2023. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/criminal-justice-career-goals-navigating-the-path/. [Accessed: 9-Sep-2023]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Plagiarized Text

Leave your email and we will send a sample to you., not finding what you need, search for essay samples now.

Having doubts about how to write your paper correctly?

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

Don't use plagiarized sources

Where do you want us to send this sample, attention this is just a sample..

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Home / Essay Samples / Crime / Crime Prevention / Criminal Justice Career

Criminal Justice Career Essay Examples

Aiming high: my ambitious criminal justice career goals.

In this essay on my criminal justice career goals, I will discuss my personal aspirations and objectives for my future in the field of criminal justice. Criminal justice is a course that primarily associated with law enforcement. Interestingly, criminal justice has been broadening with time,...

Analysis of a Career in Criminal Justice

The criminal justice system is a set of institutions that works as a unit to protect the society from all sorts of evil acts that may pose harm to its members through controlling and preventing criminal activities. Law enforcement an aspect of criminal justice system...

My Enthusiasm to Study Criminology with Law

Books have always been a window into the wider world for me, generating enthusiasm and allowing me to enhance my understanding of subjects which would otherwise not be introduced to me. I spend a lot of time reading and in my spare time I have...

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!