Law-Forums.org

[bercnan72]

I want to become a criminal lawyer.In on year i will be going off to college,I would like to attend howard university because they have on of the best law schools.The problem is i do not know what to major in.Honestly i don't know what i have to be to become a lawyer.All I think I know is you go to a 4 year college.After that I don't know if you go to graduate school and get an internship at a law firm,or if you go straight to law school and get a internship or a job.I was also wondering what is the difference between a criminal lawyer,criminal defense lawyer,or which is better.So can you tell me what i should major in or should i double major,what is the different between the two types of lawyers i stated above and which is better,and do or should i go to graduate school and everything else i stated above.Thank you so much i hope i'm not asking for to much!!

[koltin]

You major in something that will get you a paying job after college. You need a degree from an accredited university - any degree.

And while you're in college, wake up to reality about law. There's a glut of lawyers in this country and most grads are not getting jobs. The ones who are, can't live independently and pay off the student loans they have for college and law school. Large firms and major corporations have begun outsourcing legal work to India where they can have their pick of the finest young legal minds for about $22,000/year.

Moreover, the path to criminal law is through a public defender's office or a prosecutor's office. Plan on making absolutely no money if you can even get hired.

A criminal lawyer and acriminal defense lawyer are the same thing since the only other party to a criminal case is the government (the prosecutor).

[anglesey34]

What a stupid answer!

This question was asked by an 11 year old.

She tells her age in many of her other questions!

[wethrby]

First off you need a bachelors degree to even get into law school. I suggest you geta degree in criminal justice, so you will have a wonderful understanding of both sides. The other option that would be good would be a degree in legal studies, with a specialization in criminal law.

For example, at University of Houston you can get a legal studies BA, where you get to take criminal law classes as your electives. Then your degree will actually say Legal Studies with specialization in Criminal Law.

A lot of attorneys go through political science to get into law school. I don't like that route. I will be doing legal studies with specialization in family law. That way I can go on to law school if I chose or remain a paralegal.

[chay]

Law school is a graduate school, therefore you need a bachelor's degree before you can get your law degree. Law Schools, like any other graduate school look for a wide range of voices and opinions. Just make sure you get a degree in something interesting to you (and make sure you have good grades). Or you can major in pre law... but a lot of people do that.

[seager]

Deceit.

[tredway]

agriculture

[napayshni65]

agriculture

being a gangsta

[dalon]

agriculture

being a gangsta

You can major in absolutely anything. I practice criminal law, and my undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Music Performance. Take a course of study that you actually enjoy! It keeps you from burning out and you'll get better grades (improving your chances of getting into law school significantly). Also, take at least one course in technical writing and a course or two in logic. You will write constantly in law school. A 40 page paper is not uncommon, and you can count on having at least one due every single semester. That was my experienc. As for the logic, it will help you with your LSAT scores. Also, you should read at least one large novel every week. Average reading in law school is 300 to 350 pages of extremely intense and complex subject matter, per week. It can be more depending on the courses you study.

[beacher]

My Cousin is a Criminal Defense Attorney and former Deputy District Attorney (former Prosecutor).

To be accepted at a good Law School you need a 4 year Degree from an accredited College or University.

You need good grades and you need to do well on the Law School Admissions Test.

With respect to your undergraduate course of study: A significant amount of evidence in Criminal Law comes from a Crime Lab.

It is very helpful if you have a good understanding of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I recommend that you take at least one year of Chemistry, Physics and Biology as an undergraduate. That will help you understand evidence from a Crime Lab.

Also with respect to Criminal Law you will have issues closely related to the material that you will learn in Sociology and Pswychology. I recommend a few courses in Sociology and Psychology as well.

A good understanding of Economics, History and Political Science is helpful in the practice of Law as well. I recommend that you have some coursework in Economics, History, and Political Science as well.