How to Become an Amazing Prosecution Lawyer

Prosecutors represent the government in criminal cases.

Lawyers have to go to law school to learn how to think like lawyers, but three years is only enough time to give an overview of the different areas of law and legal research. Attorneys who want to go beyond the basics and become amazing prosecution lawyers have to learn the skills to excel after they leave law school.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Go to court. District attorney's offices offer a place where newly licensed lawyers can gain a lot of trial experience quickly. Unlike civil law firms where a new associate may have to wait years before entering the courtroom, district attorneys go to court from the time they start the job. To excel at prosecution you must be comfortable in the courtroom and being in court enough that it feels familiar is a good start.

2. Ask for feedback. Many judges are willing to give you feedback if you just ask. While they can not comment on a particular case, they can tell you where you need to work on your presentation skills, whether you talk too softly or too quickly and whether you look confident when you speak.

3. Study the law. Prosecutors spend a lot of time in trial. Part of being good in trial is learning the rules of evidence and the appropriate legal cases in your jurisdiction. An attorney who can make an appropriate objection to the admission of evidence, cite the rule that tells the judge the evidence is inadmissible, and cite cases where your position has been upheld by higher courts gives you credibility with the judge, opposing counsel and anyone else listening.

4. Watch amazing lawyers. Go to hearings where experienced and talented attorneys are presenting their cases. If you don't watch more experienced felony attorneys, you are cheating yourself of role models and the opportunity to potentially find a mentor who can help increase your skills quickly.

5. Become a defense attorney. Working for the opposing side teaches you to spot weaknesses in your own case. You don't have to actually leave your job as a prosecutor, but before you prepare your case pretend you are the defense attorney. Find the places you would attack. Then as a prosecutor you can go back and fix those weaknesses before they hurt your case.

6. Get to know the police officers. Having a good professional working relationship with a police officer who sits next to you during trial gives you an ally at your table. Ask the officer what the strengths and weaknesses of the case are in her mind. By working together you will be able to take better notes during trial and are less likely to miss something important.

7. Sign up for continuing education classes. Classes focused on areas you prosecute, such as DUI or domestic violence, will allow you to become an expert in your field. The more you know about the law, science and practice of the case you are prosecuting, the less likely a defense attorney or defense expert witness will be able to confuse you, or worse, confuse the jury about the facts of your case.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get so wrapped up in being a prosecutor that you forget to learn from defense attorneys. Many defense attorneys started as prosecutors and as long as you don't currently have a case against one of their clients, they can give you helpful advice.

• Remember that a prosecutor's job is to serve justice, not necessarily to win all his cases. If a prosecutor protects the Constitution and works to avoid a miscarriage of justice, he has succeeded as a prosecutor regardless of a jury verdict.

References

• Legal Authority: Prosecutor Jobs
• DC Bar: How to Become a Prosecutor
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lawyers