2 answers
charlotte
Student
Troutdale, Oregon
2
Questions
Asked
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Roughly how many years of education does it take to get into criminal law?
how many years would it take to get through the education you need to go into criminal law? #law #criminallaw
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2 answers
Michael B
Attorney
2
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Charlotte,
To go into criminal law, you would follow a typical law school path. Go through college and get an undergraduate degree (typically 4 years), followed by taking the LSAT and applying to law school (which can be done in your last year of college), then attend and graduate law school (typically 3 years if going full-time), followed by taking and passing the Bar Exam. During law school you can focus on a specific area in your last half of school. So you could take more classes dedicated to criminal law, clerk for a criminal law firm, volunteer with the public defender office, etc. So you are probably looking at a total of 7 years to get into criminal law. I recommend trying to shadowing a criminal attorney to gain exposure, and try to get as much exposure as you can. But don't be afraid to keep your options open and explore other areas of the law. You never know what you may be interested in, and find an area of law you didn't even know existed!
Best of luck to you!!
To go into criminal law, you would follow a typical law school path. Go through college and get an undergraduate degree (typically 4 years), followed by taking the LSAT and applying to law school (which can be done in your last year of college), then attend and graduate law school (typically 3 years if going full-time), followed by taking and passing the Bar Exam. During law school you can focus on a specific area in your last half of school. So you could take more classes dedicated to criminal law, clerk for a criminal law firm, volunteer with the public defender office, etc. So you are probably looking at a total of 7 years to get into criminal law. I recommend trying to shadowing a criminal attorney to gain exposure, and try to get as much exposure as you can. But don't be afraid to keep your options open and explore other areas of the law. You never know what you may be interested in, and find an area of law you didn't even know existed!
Best of luck to you!!
thanks so much, Micheal!
charlotte
Baljit Gill
Lawyer paralegal
127
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Charlotte,
The route to getting into criminal law is long but definitely a worthwhile career. It takes an undergrad degree then your law degree which can take you 3-4 years. You could also volunteer with the local police department, if possible, to get your feet wet. Working for the police can also be daunting but its the most rewarding too. You could also be a solo criminal attorney compared to a law firm employee.
The route to getting into criminal law is long but definitely a worthwhile career. It takes an undergrad degree then your law degree which can take you 3-4 years. You could also volunteer with the local police department, if possible, to get your feet wet. Working for the police can also be daunting but its the most rewarding too. You could also be a solo criminal attorney compared to a law firm employee.