Introduction
If one wishes to go into the field of law and criminal defense then certain information should be in the possession of such an individual. A potential criminal defense attorney will have to understand certain facts about the field in order to fully benefit. Law is a very professional field and therefore previous experience in a related area would be an added advantage to the candidate.
Step 1
Like any other job, one has to understand the potential that exists as far as the salary goes. A criminal defense attorney usually gets quite an attractive income; this usually goes into the six figure territory annually. If one wishes to get into this field he/she must also understand the potential for growth for this figure. The salary of a criminal defense attorney should not be constant year in year out since this could prove to be a route cause for dissatisfaction and non-fulfillment in the future.
Step 2
Before proceeding to become a criminal defense attorney, one has to have degree that acts as a qualification for the school of law. It is important to have knowledge of the fields that may act as qualifications for field of law. A degree that qualifies an individual for law school would typically take four years to complete. Not all four year degrees can get one into law school, only law related fields of study like philosophy can do that.
Step 3
After this; an aspiring criminal defense attorney needs to go and actually study law and pass the required examination. While studying law one needs to read and take note of all the criminal cases that may have been taken to court in that particular area and understand all the dynamics. Before getting to the school of law one will have to do a test to determine whether they qualify.
Step 4
A good aspiring criminal defense attorney needs to take part in the court process so as to learn the strings of the trade. During hearings; the aspiring candidate needs to be present. This is vital in ensuring that all the theory learnt in class is fortified by actual and practical knowledge that can only be acquired by being present during court case hearings.
Step 5
During or after the period of study one should seek an internship as a criminal defense attorney in some sort of law establishment. One should find information about the best firms in the district of residence and then draft an impressive CV that will increase the chances of placement. The professors of law may also prove helpful in finding placement for the candidate.
Tips
The final exam will determine whether one gets a swearing in ceremony to be a criminal defense attorney or not. This exam needs thorough study and revision if one is serious about succeeding. Group discussions should be made use of during the period of revision to achieve synergy. If extra revision classes are seen to be necessary, then by all means the candidate should get into one these. The final test will determine whether all the previous years were good for something or not. Only after the process i sover and done with can one become a criminal defense attorney.
Sources and Citations
None.
