Building a Foundation: Early Career Steps in Criminal Law

May 20, 2024

Written By Francesca Jackson

If you’re interested in a career in criminal law, but not sure how to go about it, you’re in the right place! This article will offer guidance to aspiring legal professionals interested in pursuing careers in criminal law, by providing insights into various career paths and outlining the essential steps you need to take to build a successful foundation in this field.

Exploring Career Paths in Criminal Law

Criminal law encompasses a wide range of legal practices which focus on prosecuting or defending individuals accused of committing criminal offences. So, let’s begin by looking at some career paths for aspiring criminal lawyers.

Prosecution and Defence: Criminal lawyers can be divided into two groups: prosecutors and defence lawyers. Prosecutors represent the state’s interest in criminal cases, and their main responsibility is to prove the guilt of the defendant. Defence lawyers, as the name suggests, defend the accused. Their primary role is to argue on behalf of the defendant for his or her acquittal.

Legal Aid Organisations: Although most defence lawyers are hired at the defendant’s own expense, legal aid charities and NGOs ensure that defendants who cannot afford to pay can still receive legal representation.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications

When it comes to the educational path to becoming a criminal lawyer in the UK, the conventional starting point is an undergraduate law degree or law conversion course. Students will then typically gain further professional qualifications. For example, aspiring criminal solicitors may study the Legal Practice Course (LPC), while budding criminal barristers may complete a vocational bar course.

In more recent years, the introduction of the new Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination has made the route to becoming a solicitor more accessible, as there’s no longer a requirement to complete a law degree or secure a training contract. Solicitor apprenticeships, which combine fully funded training with paid work experience, have also become more popular.

Gaining Practical Experience

As well as these formal qualifications, internships and placements are hugely valuable ways of gaining practical experience, whether it be with law firms, government agencies, or legal aid organisations. Maximising internships or shadowing opportunities with law firms or legal organisations specialising in criminal law is a fantastic way of building up practical experience and establishing professional connections.

Participating in moot court competitions is also a great way of developing practical legal skills and courtroom experience.

One way of gaining both education and experience simultaneously is through clinical legal education programmes, where students support the running of legal clinics under the supervision of qualified lawyers.

This form of education provides students with hands-on experience in real legal cases under the supervision of experienced lawyers. Offering your services to community legal clinics or pro bono projects helps you contribute to your community while honing your legal skills and building a professional network.

Developing Key Skills

Another crucial consideration for aspiring criminal lawyers is skills development. Here are just a few skills which are particular useful for criminal lawyers:

Legal Research and Writing: effective legal research and writing is crucial to effectively analysing case law, drafting legal documents, and presenting persuasive arguments.
Advocacy and Courtroom Presentation: criminal lawyers must possess effective courtroom advocacy skills, including public speaking, persuasive argumentation, and cross-examination techniques.
Analytical and Critical Thinking: possessing strong analytical and critical thinking skills is another must-have for criminal lawyers, who need to analyse complex legal issues, identify relevant legal precedents, and formulate sound legal strategies.
Client Communication: as with any role, criminal lawyers need effective communication skills in order to build rapport with clients, understand their needs, and provide appropriate legal guidance and support.

Building Professional Networks

A strong professional network is a key foundation in the construction of any aspiring criminal lawyer’s career! Consider attending industry events, conferences and seminars related to criminal law in order to network with experienced practitioners and stay updated on industry trends and developments.

It is also a good idea to join professional associations and organisations focused on criminal law, as they can provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and mentorship.

You may also wish to conduct informational interviews with seasoned criminal law professionals established in the field and seeking mentorship from experienced lawyers, in order to gain further valuable insights and guidance and strengthen your professional network.

Securing Entry-Level Positions

When it comes to landing your first job in criminal law, tailoring your application is key! Make sure that you craft a compelling CV and cover letter which is specific to the requirements of the position you’re applying for. You should also emphasise relevant skills, experiences, and achievements, in order to make your CV and cover letter uniquely you.

If you are successful in being selected for a criminal law interview, make sure that you thoroughly research your prospective employer, practice interview questions beforehand, demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the field, and be sure to seek feedback afterwards.

Conclusion

Education, experience, skills development, networking and job search preparation are all crucial to laying the foundation of your criminal law career. So, be sure to take proactive steps towards your career goals, leverage available resources, and remain resilient in the face of challenges - you are the criminal lawyers of the future!

Becoming a Lawyer