About the Process of Becoming a Criminal Lawyer
Criminal law is one of the best-known specialties for lawyers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics listed median annual wages for lawyers at $110,590 in 2008, but earnings range widely. Prosecutors and public defenders earn less than high profile criminal defense lawyers.
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Types
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Defense lawyers and prosecutors both deal with criminal law. The criminal defense lawyer represents clients accused of committing a crime, while the prosecutor presents the case against the accused. Prosecutors are government employees.
Training
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Criminal lawyers typically complete four years of undergraduate studies and three years of law school. After completing law school, they must pass a state bar examination to practice law. States set continuing education requirements for lawyers.
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Job Outlook
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As of 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that employment of lawyers would grow by 13 percent through 2018, but also noted that competition for jobs is high. Most salaried jobs are in urban areas, but small towns offer less competition from big law firms for self-employed lawyers.
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References
- Photo Credit young lawyer image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com
