Becoming a criminal justice lawyer – A step-by-step guide

lawyers-glasgow

More people than ever are choosing to study law at UK universities. With over 26,000 applying for undergraduate courses according to The Law Society.

Criminal law has become particularly popular as a career pursuit due to the depiction of criminal defence lawyers glasgow in film and TV.

However, whilst shows such as How to Get Away with Murder and Suits may make being a lawyer appear exciting and exhilarating, and it certainly can be as a fully qualified lawyer, the road to criminal justice lawyer is long and challenging.

Several years of study will be required before you are even close to being ready to be called to the bar, and before you send off your application it is important to understand some of the biggest obstacles you will face along the way.

Step 1 – Undergraduate Degree

No matter what area of law you wish to pursue you will have to complete a bachelor’s degree of some kind.

However, despite popular belief, this does NOT have to be a law degree.

Of course, a background in law gained through such a degree would give you a head start later down the line but as long as the programme you choose is broad and develops your writing, critical analysis, speaking, and problem solving skills, your dream of becoming a lawyer is alive and good.

Many people with an end-goal focus of becoming a criminal lawyer will choose an undergraduate degree in business or economics as this will help them when it comes to specialising in certain areas of law down the line.

Step 2 – Law Qualifications

For those who decided not to study law at undergraduate level, but do hold a bachelor’s degree of some kind, students can transfer their area of study to law by the completion of a paralegal apprenticeship.

In England and Wales, this comes in the form of a Graduate Diploma in Law whilst in Scotland, the equivalent course is known as a Graduate Entry or Accelerated LLB.

When applying for one of these courses make sure to specialise in criminal law if you wish to pursue a career as a criminal justice lawyer.

Step 3 – Becoming a solicitor

In order to become a solicitor, you must pass the Legal Practice Course and sign a training contract with a firm of solicitors.

Sound easy? Well, competition can be quite fierce, especially at well-respected criminal law firms, although holding a Graduate Entry or Accelerated LLB at this time could help you stand out from the competition.

If you wish to become a barrister, the route is a little different as you will have to finish both the Bar Professional Training Course and a pupillage before this is possible.

Many law students decide that rather than going straight from their undergraduate degree into law school, that they want to get some real-life experience and will spend a couple of years gaining experience that will assist them when they apply.

Given the rise in applications, top law schools are now even more competitive than they used to be, with GPA, school marks, and experience candidates hold all being used as factors to determine between similar students.

Some of the experience that can help a student to stand out from the sea of competition includes community service, volunteering, and professional affiliations.

Step 4 – Work Experience

Relevant work experience really is essential when looking to become a criminal lawyer.

Unlike some other jobs, you are only likely to find such opportunities on the completion of your undergraduate law or LLB degree.

Some of the types of work experience that you may be able to secure include:

  • Holiday Schemes – Week or fortnight long placements with criminal law firms
  • Mini-pupillages – Shadowing a barrister or solicitor for a day or week
  • Marshalling – Shadowing a fully qualified judge for a day or week
  • Pro Bono – Providing free legal advice to those who could otherwise not secure it.

Step 5 – Criminal Lawyer

Once qualified it is normal for a freshly licenced criminal lawyer to work for a more experienced lawyer in the same field they wish to pursue in the future.

For example, if you wish to become a criminal justice lawyer, working in a firm with an experienced and highly-respected criminal justice lawyer in place is the ideal career move.

Over time you will prove your abilities as a criminal lawyer and either advance within the firm or eventually leave to open up a firm of your own or to enter into public office.

Success in this field requires years are hard work and dedication. The rewards at the end of the process can be great but you will have to make plenty of sacrifices along the way with only the very best making it through.