What is Criminal Law?
What do you mean by criminal law? Okay, normally, by criminal law, we understand that it aims to punish the person who is threatened for the public and the public’s property. The government takes some necessary steps when people are legislated with some serious crime.
Serious crime means murder, property damage, sexual harassment, etc. International Crime and terrorism are also included in criminal law.
In a sense, criminal law is practiced for legal practice. Every rule student has to practice this law for a qualifying law degree.
Learn: What Is a Criminal Lawyer?
How to Become a Criminal Lawyer
Here are steps you need to follow if you have dreams of becoming a criminal lawyer. Here are:
Qualifying for Law School
To get into law school, you need to qualify your bachelor’s degree, which is four years long. It does not matter on which subject you are taking your bachelor’s degree, but it would be better if you choose political science, psychology, or sociology.
It is not necessary to do major in criminal law in your undergrad. In some law schools, they prefer those students who have done major in journalism, philosophy, or economics.
Practicing in Public Speaking
You need to be confident enough to speak in front of anyone so that in your real case, you don’t feel weak. How can you develop this skill? You can join the debate or any public speaking clubs. These will improve your speaking ability and from next, you will not feel hesitant to speak to anyone.
Need to Grades Up
Everyone cannot get a chance to enroll in law school, and only the brilliant one can get this opportunity. So, for this opportunity, you should not be disappointed by your grades. At least 3.5 to 4.00 should be your grade number in the undergraduate degree.
There is a psychological theory that the admission committee always looks for the highest CGPA because it indicates their hard work and their motivation level. Your selection level will be depended on your undergraduate GPA, and this number will make it easier for your scholarship in the law firm.
Learn More: Importance of Criminal Lawyer in Canada
A Friendly Relationship with Your Professor
You might have to submit many recommendation letters, and that time you will your professor’s help. So, in your four years in college, you need to build a strong relationship with your professors so that they can help you with the recommendation. Moreover, to do in research or work, teacher assistants are great to help to make a friendly relation with the professors.
Try to Do Your Internship with a Criminal Defence Lawyer.
Many small firms need helping staff assistance throughout the year. In that sense, you can do your internship in that firm as a part-time job with any criminal defence lawyer. This will give you an experience of the taste of how criminal defence can work.
Study for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
Law schools are giving more scholarships than before. LSAT will help you to get any qualified law school that can be of your choice.
The Personality You Need to Become A Criminal Lawyer
You need to work under pressure, and this one is the First, and foremost quality should have to a criminal lawyer. It is the nature of the law that you have to work in the challenge, and you always have to think about your feet.
When you involve in a case, you have to gather all the evidence to serve your client perfectly. The information on your confirmation should have quick service and proper for your case. All the details are very important for the outcome of the criminal law, so as a criminal lawyer, you need to focus on every aspect of the evidence.
As a criminal lawyer, when you are in a criminal case, you will have to ignore the prejudgment and need to be open mind in every situation so that you can ensure your client’s right.
Learn More: How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Make in Canada?
What Kind of Work Experience is Needed?
You need to attend the criminal law department in the law firm if you have a plan to start your career as a criminal lawyer. There you can learn by becoming a shadow of some experience people; either it can be a barrister or any judge. Some universities provide some initiatives to the students who cannot afford legal aid to improve their skills which is really important in a criminal law career.
What Are the Routes You Should Follow?
You need to have well aware of another law case, including criminal law. Even it would be great if you can gather your qualifications in other law degrees. You are well-known about which routes you should take to get your criminal law degree. You need to be very passionate about your destination.
Average Criminal Law Salary
Do you know the salary range of criminal law? Well!!! In London, the law firms are giving the highest average salary, and it is around $52,500. And outside London, the salary range is about $32,000-42,000, and this salary depends on the area.
Criminal defence lawyers in Canada make an average of $117,000 yearly or $60 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level roles are $93,275 yearly, while those with the most experience can earn up to $145,158.
It should be mentioned that criminal law salary differs and depends on the law firm, which means if you work under a reputed law firm, then you can expect a high range salary, but in a not reputed law firm cannot provide your expected salary.
There is a rank in the criminal law firm: Trainee, Newly Qualified Solicitor, and Partner. So, it can be assumed that Barrister will be paid high than the solicitors. And on the other hand, the Barrister’s income will be less when they are self-employed.
Learn More: What Subjects Do You Need to Become a Lawyer
How Many Years Does it Take to Become a Criminal Lawyer?
It usually takes seven years to become a lawyer. A four-year university education is required for future lawyers, followed by three more years of law school. The procedure normally includes six to twelve months of on-the-job training while the applicant works under the supervision of an experienced lawyer.
Conclusion
To become a criminal lawyer, you have to stick your profile with legal education courses or any bar association committees or any criminal defense lawyers’ committees. This will help to get more information to practice in criminal law. And hopefully, this article will help you get more information on becoming a criminal lawyer.
Learn More: How to Find the Best Criminal Defence Lawyer?
FAQs
How Hard is it to Become a Criminal Lawyer in Canada?
It takes two to three years of undergraduate studies, or, in Quebec, the successful completion of a college program, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized law school, passing the bar test, and completing an articling program. It is necessary to have a license from the provincial or territorial law society.
What Do You Need to be a Criminal Lawyer in Canada?
It takes three years to finish a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree to qualify for bar membership in Canada. General courses, including Constitutional Law, Property Law, Contracts Law, and Criminal Law, will make up your first year of law school.
How Do I Start a Career in Criminal Law?
Consider taking Integrated BA/BBA/BSc/LLB/BSc.
The five-year integrated bachelor’s degree plus LLB is the common programme in the law given at the undergraduate level. Depending on the stream in plus two, you can complete a similar degree plus an LLB as a single professional course. Few colleges provide a UG-level criminal law specialization.
Do Criminal Lawyers Get Paid a Lot?
Depending on the firm you work for, your level of experience, and your area of expertise, a criminal lawyer can expect to make between £25,000 and £40,000 annually. You can expect to make between £20,000 and £40,000 a year as a criminal lawyer. Earnings as head of chambers could reach £100,000 annually.
