Criminal Law

By: Carter, Parker, Matt, & Max

What is Criminal Law?

Criminal law is any sort of legal practice that has to do
with the criminal justice system. This includes
prosecuting and defending individuals accused of
crimes.
Common jobs for attorneys interested in criminal law
are jobs as prosecutors or defense attorneys.

Job Titles

Attorney General (Federal)

Attorney General (State)
County District Attorney
City Attorney
These are all jobs for prosecutors
Federal Public Defenders
State Public Defenders
County Public Defenders
Private Practice
Private Work
Appellate Projects
These are all jobs of Defense Attorneys

Informational Interview
Rodney Hasty
Long, Parker, Warren,
Anderson, & Payne Firm
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Calling Mr. Hasty was a great
experience, as he gave us
great insight on a new career
path that we didnt have
knowledge about.

Informational Interview
Undergrad at NC State
Major-Political Science w/ concentration in
Criminal Justice
Minor-English
Law school-Wake Forest
Chose to be a Criminal Defense Attorney
because he was previously a DA in Buncombe
County and enjoyed being in the courtroom
every day.

Top Law Firms in the USA

The top law firm in the United States is Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. For 10 years in a row
they have been rated the top law firm by Vault.com and Forbes.com as well. A law firm based out
of New York City handles tough complex cases like Bank of Americas purchase of Merrill Lynch

for 50 billion dollars.

Wake Forest Connections

Carly Brown- Legal intern, Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism at
U.S. Department of Justice. Graduated from Wake Forest in 2013

Kate Brown- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Employment

Litigation Section. Graduated from Wake in 2004.
We connected with both of them on LinkedIn. One of the best things we got out of
taking CNS 220 was making our LinkedIn. After experimenting and learning more
about it, we now realized how valuable of an asset it is to be able to connect you
with the right people you want to talk to and get to know.

Timeline for Entry Into Criminal Law

Freshman/Sophomore Year:
-Focus on making good grades- GPA is
key
-Tell your advisor you are thinking pre-law
-Join the Pre-Law Society at WFU

http://college.wfu.edu/prelaw/

Timeline for Entry Into Criminal Law

Junior

Year:

Take criminology classes

Meet with Professor Laura Graham (Pre-law Advisor)
grahamlp@wfu.edu
Office: Worrell 3129
Start preparing for the LSAT
Consider a summer internship with a legal employer
If prepared take the LSAT in June

Timeline for Entry Into Criminal Law

Senior Year:

Register for the LSACs Credential Assembly

Service (CAS)

Research Law schools

http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools

Ask your professors for recommendation letters

Take the LSAT in October if need to retake

November- March: Apply to schools

Timeline for Entry Into Criminal Law

Get through Law school ( 3 years)
Pass the Bar Exam in the state one
would like to practice
Become:
Criminal Defense Attorney
Prosecutor
Public Defender

Industry Forecasts
-Bright Outlook: 10% increased growth between 2012-2022

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#tab-6

Industry Forecasts Continued

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#tab-1

Professional Expectations/Education
Undergraduate degree (4 years)
Law degree (3 years)
Take courses geared towards criminology, law enforcement, &
criminal law
Take the Bar Exam (depends on the state/country)
a written exam as well
Climb the corporate ladder
Article for a year
Associate
Lawyer
Junior Partner of a firm
Senior Partner

Examples of Job Functions

Advisor and advocate for clients
Meeting with clients

Interviewing witnesses and complaints

Interacting with the police/district
attorney/prosecutor
Researching case law
Appearing in court

Work Environment
Criminal Lawyers work in offices, law libraries, and
courtrooms
Sometimes meets clients at home or in prisons or hospitals
Travel time built in to see clients
Must be able to handle working under pressure
Tend to work more than 50 hours a week

Works Cited:
http://college.wfu.edu/prelaw/

http://law.scu.edu/careers/career-pathways/criminal-law/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#tab-6

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-1011.00
http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools