How to become a criminal lawyer

How to become a Criminal Lawyer

Becoming a criminal lawyer involves several steps, including education, training, and licensing. Here's an overview of the pathway to the career:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is mandatory before entering law school. While there is no specific undergraduate major required, many prospective criminal lawyers choose degrees in criminal justice, criminology, political science, psychology, or sociology.

Focus on developing critical thinking, writing, and research skills, which are essential for law school.

Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

• Purpose – The LSAT is a standardized test required for admission to most law schools in the US (or the equivalent in other countries). It assesses logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension.
• Preparation – Many aspiring criminal lawyers take LSAT prep courses, use online resources, and practise with sample tests.

Attend Law School

• Degree – Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the equivalent authority in your country.
• Curriculum – Foundational subjects include constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, and ethics. Specialize in criminal law through electives and participating in moot courts, legal clinics, or internships with criminal defense firms or prosecutor offices.

Pass the Bar Exam

• Requirement – After earning your J.D. degree, you must pass the bar exam in the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practise.
• Focus Areas – The bar exam tests knowledge of state and federal law, ethics, and procedure.
• Preparation – Enroll in a bar review course and study intensively.

Gain Work Experience
Start working in a criminal law-related role:

• Join a law firm specializing in criminal defense.
• Work as an associate in a prosecutor’s office or public defender’s office.
• Gain hands-on experience in case preparation, court appearances, and client interaction.
• Develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills, exceptional communication and advocacy abilities, and emotional resilience and a commitment to justice.

Pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Criminal Law (Optional)
An LL.M. in Criminal Law is an advanced, postgraduate degree focused on the specialized study of criminal law and related areas. This degree is designed for law graduates and practising attorneys who want to deepen their knowledge, enhance their expertise, or pursue careers in specialized criminal law fields. The curriculum emphasizes advanced topics in criminal law and justice, including:

• Criminal theory and philosophy
• Comparative criminal law (studying systems in different countries)
• Criminal procedure and evidence
• International criminal law (e.g., war crimes, genocide)
• White-collar and corporate crime
• Cybercrime and emerging technologies in crime
• Human rights in the context of criminal law

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Once licensed, criminal lawyers are required to complete continuing education courses to stay current with legal developments and changes in the law. This ensures that they remain knowledgeable and competent throughout their careers.

Certifications
There are various certifications available to criminal lawyers that demonstrate expertise in specific areas of criminal law. Here are some prominent ones:

• Certified Criminal Trial Specialist – Offered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), this certification is targeted at lawyers who specialize in criminal trial work, including representing clients in criminal defense or prosecutorial roles.
• Certification in DUI / DWI Defense – This credential is administered by the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), which has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). It focuses on building expertise in defending driving under the influence cases.
• Certified Forensic Lawyer – This certification is for lawyers who specialize in the intersection of law and forensic science, which is a critical element of the criminal justice system. Forensic scientists examine and analyze evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime or absolve an innocent person from suspicion. A forensic lawyer might earn a certificate from an organization accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences or the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute. This can help these professionals demonstrate their knowledge of forensic science in regards to the law.
• ABPLA Certification – The ABA-accredited American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) awards this certification to candidates who have demonstrated skill and expertise in medical malpractice and legal malpractice, and proven it through rigorous examination and testing.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations and associations also cater to the criminal law sector:

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) – The NACDL is one of the largest and most influential organizations for criminal defense attorneys in the United States. It advocates for fair and just treatment of individuals accused of crimes and promotes the professional development of criminal defense lawyers through its Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Institute.
• American Bar Association (ABA) – The ABA is one of the largest and most well-known legal associations in the United States. It offers a variety of resources and programs for criminal lawyers, including special interest groups within its Criminal Justice Section.
• International Bar Association (IBA) – The IBA is a global organization that provides a platform for legal professionals worldwide. It offers a wide array of resources to criminal lawyers, particularly through its Criminal Law Committee.
• American Association for Justice (AAJ – While the AAJ primarily represents civil litigators, it also supports criminal defense lawyers, particularly those who handle cases involving complex litigation, constitutional issues, or wrongful convictions.
• National Lawyers Guild (NLG) – The NLG is a progressive public interest association of lawyers, law students, paralegals, jailhouse lawyers, law collective members, and other activist legal workers in the United States. The group was founded in 1937 as an alternative to the American Bar Association in protest of that organization's then exclusionary membership practices and conservative political orientation.
• Federal Bar Association (FBA) – The FBA represents federal lawyers, including those involved in criminal law. Its Criminal Law Section focuses on issues related to federal criminal law and practice.
• American Inns of Court – American Inns of Court are community-based groups of judges, practicing attorneys, law professors, and students who meet regularly to discuss and debate issues relating to legal ethics and professionalism.
• International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA) – The ICCBA represents and provides specialized training for lawyers who practise in the International Criminal Court, dealing with issues like war crimes and crimes against humanity.