High School

If you plan to become a criminal lawyer, take classes such as government, history, psychology, computer science, sociology, and social studies. Speech and English (especially writing) courses will also be especially useful because criminal lawyers must be excellent communicators. A foreign language will come in handy if you work with clients who do not speak English as a first language, although court systems provide interpretation services to defendants and plaintiffs.

Postsecondary Education

A law degree and admission to the bar of the state you wish to practice is required to work as a criminal lawyer.

Most employers prefer candidates with at least two years of practice in criminal and civil law. Trial experience is a must. In addition to their work, many attorneys gain experience via pro bono work, volunteer opportunities, and community service.

More than 200 law schools in the United States are approved by the American Bar Association. Most law schools require that applicants take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), where prospective law students are tested on their critical thinking, writing, and reasoning abilities.

While in law school, take classes in criminal procedure and evidence, as well as any classes that provide experience in oral advocacy, trial advocacy, and moot court. While classroom work is important, valuable experience in these areas can also be gained through clinics, internships, and volunteer opportunities. A degree of juris doctor (J.D.) or bachelor of laws (LL.B.) is usually granted upon graduation from law school.

Certification

Some lawyers choose to earn a master of laws (LL.M.) degree, an advanced law certification that helps them advance professionally. LL.M programs, which typically last one year, are offered in many areas—such as general law, criminal law, litigation/trial advocacy, and prosecutorial science. A first law degree is required for admission to LL.M. programs. Visit https://www.lsac.org/llm-other-law-program-applicants for more information. Visit https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/llm-degrees_post_j_d_non_j_d/programs_by_school for a list of LL.M. specialties and the law schools that offer them.

Other Education or Training

The American Bar Association, National Association for Law Placement, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Women Lawyers, National District Attorneys Association, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and state and local bar associations offer a variety of continuing education opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.

Most prosecutor offices, public defender offices, and law firms provide in-house continuing education opportunities to their employees. 

Certification or Licensing

The National Board of Trial Advocacy offers voluntary board certification in areas of civil trial law, criminal trial law, family trial law, civil pretrial practice law, and social security disability advocacy law. Contact the board for more information.

Every state requires that lawyers be admitted to the bar of that state before they can practice. They require that applicants graduate from an approved law school and that they pass a written examination in the state in which they intend to practice. In a few states, graduates of law schools within the state are excused from these written examinations. After lawyers have been admitted to the bar in one state, they can practice in another state without taking a written examination if the states have reciprocity agreements; however, they will be required to meet certain state standards of good character and legal experience and pay any applicable fees. Additionally, prosecutors often must be U.S. citizens.  

Experience as a law intern or judicial clerk is highly recommended. As an undergraduate student, try to participate in an internship at a courthouse, law firm, or other legal employer. Additionally, many private public defense organizations offer internships. Your career services office or prelaw (or other major) program may also require you to participate in an internship as part of its curricula. While in law school, it is a good idea to participate in a judicial clerkship. A clerkship with a judge who oversees criminal or civil proceeding will provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at the court system and the issues judges and lawyers deal with every day. Volunteer positions at a courthouse, prosecutor’s office, or law firm will also provide a helpful introduction to the field.

Besides having a keen knowledge of the law, criminal lawyers must have other skills. They must be good communicators—in court while presenting their case to the judge and jury, and out of court while interviewing witnesses and conducting interrogations and interacting with coworkers. Being attentive to detail is also important, especially because criminal cases may be won or lost due to the smallest factual detail. Criminal lawyers must also be able to work under the pressure of cases that at times may be physically and emotionally draining. Other important traits for criminal lawyers include professional and personal ethics, integrity, the ability to stay calm under pressure, organizational and time-management skills, and strong interpersonal skills. Public defenders must have empathetic personalities and a desire to help others, especially the underserved. They need to be confident when dealing with prosecutors and judges, but compassionate and patient when working with clients.