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what are the first steps to becoming a criminal justice lawyer after college?

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To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you

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sharmela’s Answer

Hi Faith: The path to becoming any type of lawyer is the same. You first have to attend and complete law school then be admitted to the Bar of the State where you choose to practice. When you get a law degree, you are able to practice any area of law that you prefer. What generally happens is that lawyers choose to specialize or concentrate in certain areas for a variety of reasons. If you know that you want to practice criminal law, you could choose your elective courses in criminal law. Law school has certain required courses that all law students must take and electives.

You should now focus on the steps to getting into law school such as taking the LSAT and applying to the law schools of your choice.

Good Luck and Best Wishes.
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Brian’s Answer

Faith,

The path to becoming a criminal justice lawyer is a process. Law school is a first step, and you can focus classes on criminal justice topics; including trial practice, evidence, and criminal law. Most law programs are 3 year programs after college is complete.

During and after law school, you can enroll in legal clinics for courtroom practical education, or find internships with the public defender's office or District Attorney in your area. These are hugely helpful if finding out how legal work actually gets done. These are some of the best steps to take toward becoming a criminal justice lawyer. You can also find part time jobs with law firms that practice criminal defense.

I hope this helps, good luck on your career path.
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Jan’s Answer

The path to becoming a criminal justice lawyer after college will mean that you will have to attend laws school for three or four years depending upon whether you attend school on a full time or part time basis. after your first year of law school, it may be possible for you to gain legal experience by volunteering during the summer or during the school in a legal clinic where you would be supervised by the clinic director who would likely be an experienced lawyer. Between your second and third year of law school, you could look for opportunities to work as a legal intern for the local prosecutor's office or the public defenders office which would help you decide whether working as a criminal justice lawyer is right for you. After law school and once you pass the bar exam, you could look for work in those same types of offices (prosecutor's office or public defenders office) . You may find that working in the area of criminal justice is very gratifying although the hours are likely to be long and the pay might not be the greatest.
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Job’s Answer

Prepare for the LSAT test by either taking a class or just practicing in a workbook. If you can take a good class, they are worth the money.
Apply to law school. Take as many criminal classes the school offers.
After your first year of law school try to work or volunteer at either the law school law clinic or the legal aid to get some practical experience. After your second year try to get a job or volunteer at the district attorney's office.
This is if you are complete law school in 3 years.
Good luck
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DENNIS’s Answer

Hi Faith: After college you need to go to law school. You need to take the LSAT test to get admitted. After admission it is 3 years of courses and then you need to take your State's (I see you are in California) Bar Exam - a two day test. After you pass the Bar you can specialize in any type of law you want. In the mean time, enjoy school, stay out of trouble and have fun!
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