A criminal lawyer is a professional who advises and advocates for a person who has been charged with a crime. He or she may also represent the person to which a crime has been committed. Generally, a lawyer bringing criminal charges against another entity is known as a prosecutor. On the other hand, a defense lawyer is the one who has the task of defending the accused, commonly known as the defendant. To become a criminal lawyer, an individual will need to obtain a college degree and entry into law school.
The first step to become a criminal lawyer will entail graduating from high school. While still in high school, many students may develop an interest in studying law. Some may choose to take elective courses, even at this level, to appease his or her interest in the criminal justice system. After graduating from high school, the student will need to apply to and gain acceptance into an accredited institution of higher learning. It is generally a good idea to research the law programs offered by the college of choice.
Generally, a person wishing to become a criminal lawyer will not be required to obtain an undergraduate degree in a specific area. Many students choose majors such as general law, criminal justice and political science. After a college degree is obtained, the next order of business will be to apply to a law school. This will typically require an additional three years of continuing education.
In most cases, in order to be admitted into law school, a student will be required to pass some type of entrance test. For instance, in the United States, the majority of accredited law schools require students to pass the law school admission test (LSAT). Aside from this test score, the student's undergraduate grades, previously taken law-related courses and extracurricular activities may be considered as well. A person planning to become a criminal lawyer should put a great amount of time in choosing a law school, as the type of school from which a law degree is obtained may heavily weigh on future employment opportunities.
After law school, students will generally be required to pass an examination to become licensed to practice law. To become a criminal lawyer, an individual will be required to be knowledgeable of essentially every element of criminal law. He or she should also be well versed on the laws tailored to the specific region for which he or she is employed. For a lawyer in the United States, this may include federal criminal law, state criminal law, as well as county criminal law. Job opportunities are generally vast for a criminal lawyer with many choosing to work independently, while others may go on to join a group practice.
