How to become a prosecutor

How to become a Prosecutor

Becoming a prosecutor typically involves a series of educational and professional steps, as it requires both legal training and practical experience. Here's a general guide to the process:

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 prosecutors choose degrees in criminal justice or political science. History, psychology, or sociology are also relevant areas of study. All of these subjects help develop critical thinking, writing, and communication skills, which are essential for law school and legal work.

It’s also important to maintain a strong GPA and take part in extracurricular activities like debate teams or volunteering, which can strengthen law school applications.

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 prosecutors 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. Individuals who plan on pursuing a prosecutor role should focus on courses in criminal law, courtroom procedure, and trial advocacy.
• Internships, Externships, or Clinics – These opportunities offer hands-on training in criminal law and legal advocacy. Some law schools offer prosecutor externships or public service programs that allow students to work with government attorneys in criminal cases.

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, legal ethics, and procedural rules.
• Preparation – Enroll in a bar review course and study intensively.
• In addition to passing the bar exam, jurisdictions may require candidates to take a legal ethics exam (such as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination), take an oath, and undergo a background check as part of the licensing process.

Enter the Workforce
Many prosecutors begin their careers by working as law clerks or interns for district attorney’s offices, public defenders, or private law firms. These positions allow them to develop proficiency in criminal law, trial preparation, and legal research.

Build Experience and Advance

• Gain Trial Experience – As a new prosecutor, you’ll typically handle misdemeanor cases, moving on to more serious felonies as you gain experience. Building a strong record in trial and plea negotiations will help you advance in your career.
• Specialize – Over time, you may choose to specialize in areas like violent crimes, drug offenses, white-collar crime, or juvenile law. For a comprehensive list of specializations in the field, please see the What does a Prosecutor do? section in the career overview.

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)
Prosecutors must continue to develop their legal knowledge and skills throughout their careers. Many jurisdictions require continuing legal education courses on topics like new legal developments, ethics, and specialized areas of law.

Certifications
There are various voluntary certifications available to prosecutors that demonstrate expertise in specific areas of criminal law and justice. Here are a couple of 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 prosecutorial or criminal defense roles.
• 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.

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

• National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) – The NDAA is one of the largest and most influential professional organizations for prosecutors in the United States. It provides training, legal updates, guidelines on prosecutorial ethics, and tools for managing criminal cases.
• American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI) – The APRI, a part of the NDAA, focuses on providing research and training for prosecutors. It aims to improve the quality of prosecution and public safety through data-driven initiatives and educational programs that teach effective courtroom skills, including direct and cross-examination, evidence handling, and oral arguments.
• National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators (NAPC) – The NAPC serves prosecutors by offering professional development, support, and educational programs. It focuses on improving prosecution management and the operational aspects of prosecutor’s offices.
• 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 prosecutors and 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.
• International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) – The IAP is an international network of prosecutors that promotes international cooperation and legal reform in the field of prosecution. It aims to enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors worldwide, particularly in international criminal law.
• National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) – The NBPA is the only professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of Blacks as prosecutors at all levels of government. In addition to prosecutors, the association’s membership includes law students, former prosecutors, and law enforcement personnel.
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) – NOBLE is a national association of prosecutors who focus on improving racial diversity and equity within the criminal justice system.