Careers in Criminal Justice and Paralegal

The legal field is full of excellent opportunities for job candidates. Criminal justice careers, for example, focus on correcting and preventing criminal behavior. Similarly, after obtaining a paralegal education, a legal assistant works side by side with attorneys to handle court cases and other legal proceedings. For those willing to complete a graduate education, a career in law is also a possibility. A summary of the criminal justice and paralegal professions follows.

About the Fields

Attorneys often delegate much of their legal work to paralegals or legal assistants. Paralegals have begun taking on more complex tasks in recent years, although they are prohibited from actually practicing law (e.g., presenting court cases or giving legal advice). A paralegal education will prepare you to assist lawyers in preparation for hearings, trials, closings, and meetings. Legal assistants are typically responsible for managing case files and supplying attorneys with relevant documents.

Criminal justice careers are much broader in their scope. Most criminal justice jobs fall into one of four categories: probation, corrections, security, and police. The goal of criminal justice professionals is to protect citizens' lives and personal property. This may involve investigating crimes, patrolling the streets, identifying suspects, and/or managing people convicted of crimes. Ultimately, criminal justice concentrates on the causes, definition, and prevention of criminal activity, as well as the rehabilitation and treatment of criminal offenders.

Career Possibilities

Graduates with a paralegal education usually enter careers as paralegals or legal assistants for law firms, government agencies, and corporations. Paralegal training obtained at a four-year institution may also qualify the graduate for work as a law clerk. Law clerks assist judges and attorneys by preparing and researching legal documents.

The career options for those who study criminal justice are many. Some criminal justice graduates choose to go into law enforcement as police officers, FBI agents, security guards, and so on. Others may choose the corrections path and become probation officers or correctional officers in prisons. Other criminal justice careers include forensics experts, bailiffs, and private investigators. Criminal justice students with an advanced education may also choose to enter law school for a career as a lawyer.

Education and Credentialing

The typical paralegal education involves the completion of a two-year paralegal training program at a community college to obtain an associate's degree. Although some institutions offer bachelor's and master's degrees in paralegal studies, it is highly uncommon. Only 260 paralegal programs in the U.S. are approved by the ABA (American Bar Association). Paralegal students do not have to pursue their education at an ABA-approved institution, but it is recommended. Similarly, certification is not mandatory in the paralegal field, but it can make a candidate more competitive. Paralegals who meet certain standards of education and experience may take an exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) to obtain the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential.

Because criminal justice careers are so diverse, the education and credentialing requirements vary considerably. Most criminal justice positions require at least an associate's degree or the completion of some college coursework, as is the case with most police officers. Other criminal justice jobs, such as federal agent, probation officer, and forensics expert, require at least a bachelor's degree. These professionals typically have bachelor's degrees in justice studies, social work, psychology, forensics, or criminal justice. Attorneys must complete a four-year bachelor's degree as well as three years of law school, after which they must pass the bar exam in their state for a license to practice.

Additional Info

Paralegal and criminal justice professionals will be in high demand in the future, so pursuing training in these areas now is a smart investment. However, if you have doubts about whether a career in the legal field is for you, there are many other suitable alternatives. Find out the possibilities that await you by reading through our other career field articles.

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