How To Become A Criminal Defense Lawyer – Criminal defense lawyers operate within the realm of criminal law and represent either party either with or without prior knowledge of the extent of guilt. In many cases, they may also be representing an innocent party accused or involved in a heinous or serious crime. Criminal law is a well-respected branch of the law to practice with plenty of employment opportunities, especially in bigger cities.
How To Become A Criminal Defense Lawyer
Here is a simple version of how to become a criminal defense lawyer.
1. Higher Secondary Exams & Law Entrance Tests
As with any career, the first step is undoubtedly completing one’s higher secondary exams or the equivalent in one’s own country. While many careers may not require a drawn out academic degree, practicing the law always requires formal education pertaining to the field. Before an individual can get admission in a law undergraduate degree they must clear relevant tests which can vary geographically. Common examples include Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or Symbiosis Entrance Test or (SET). Many of these tests will require a significant amount of self-study prior to taking the test. For example, most people undertaking the LSAT will require an LSAT prep course.
2. An Undergraduate Degree
An LLB is the most common type of law undergraduate degree in most countries in the world. It features a generalized education to prepare a student for the legal profession but it does not typically insist on a specific specialization as that is usually done at the Masters’ level (or graduate degree level). Many people do a BA LLB which is a bachelor’s degree with some legal subjects as majors. Students can begin work at a legal firm often as a paralegal or junior attorney after they complete their undergraduate degree. A law student can search for relevant legal jobs in his area such as Ocala Criminal Defense Lawyers by navigating the web search geographically.
3. The Bar Exam Can Make Or Break A Career
Many law students spent at least a few years unsuccessfully trying to pass the bar after completing their undergraduate degrees. The bar exam can be a challenge but an unavoidable one for those that want to continue in the legal profession. Bar exams and their requirements can vary from country to country and also according to jurisdiction. The bar exam is absolutely necessary for any legal student to assist or fight a case in a court of law.
3. Graduate/Postgrad or Masters & PhD
The Masters degree is where law students have a greater chance to choose criminal law as their preferred area of study and specialization. They can take special courses as well as do internships during and after their year of study with law firms that have taken on criminal cases. Pursuing a PhD in criminal law is for those who have the means to go without active work for the duration of the degree but are incredibly passionate for the cause. One of the major truths about working in the legal industry is that law school leaves scores of over-educated but disillusioned individuals as they struggle to find fulfilling work that can pay off student debt.
4. Gaining Experience
Lastly, gaining adequate and fruitful work experience is essential for succeeding in the legal field because lawyers learn the most by working on real cases and dealing with real-life situations for which they must find precedent from the past.
