2 answers
charlotte
Student
Troutdale, Oregon
2
Questions
Updated
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how many years would it take to get through the education you need to go into criminal law?
What kind of education level do you need to go into criminal law? bachelor's, master's, or associate's? and as well as why that specific education level.
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2 answers
Max P
Lawyer
1
Answer
Houston, Texas
Updated
Max’s Answer
Generally, it takes seven years of formal education after high school.
To be a lawyer in the United States you need to go to law school and earn a Juris Doctor degree (or ‘J.D.’ for short). This is a ‘post-graduate’ degree, meaning that you first need to have a bachelor’s degree in order to go to law school. Law school is three years, and most bachelor’s programs are designed to be completed in four years, so it generally takes people seven years of school before they can become a lawyer.
Note that once you’ve graduated from law school you also need to get a license from the state you want to work in in order to actually practice law. These licenses are issued at the state level—there is no national license—and generally require passing an exam (called the ‘bar exam’) as well as a ‘character and fitness’ evaluation, which is intended to make sure someone is trustworthy enough to practice law.
Once licensed, it’s up to you what area you want to practice in—no further special requirements are needed to become a criminal lawyer specifically.
To be a lawyer in the United States you need to go to law school and earn a Juris Doctor degree (or ‘J.D.’ for short). This is a ‘post-graduate’ degree, meaning that you first need to have a bachelor’s degree in order to go to law school. Law school is three years, and most bachelor’s programs are designed to be completed in four years, so it generally takes people seven years of school before they can become a lawyer.
Note that once you’ve graduated from law school you also need to get a license from the state you want to work in in order to actually practice law. These licenses are issued at the state level—there is no national license—and generally require passing an exam (called the ‘bar exam’) as well as a ‘character and fitness’ evaluation, which is intended to make sure someone is trustworthy enough to practice law.
Once licensed, it’s up to you what area you want to practice in—no further special requirements are needed to become a criminal lawyer specifically.
thanks a ton, max!
charlotte
Natasha Egharevba
Attorney
7
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Natasha’s Answer
Undergrad 4 then law school 3