- Before you can apply to a law school, you must first take the LSAT exam. This all-day exam, administered by the Law School Admission Council, includes sections pertaining to reading comprehension, deductive reasoning and logic skills. The exam is only given several times per year, so it is important to take the test in time for your law school application. You can apply to take the exam by visiting the LSAT website, see Resources.
- To achieve the highest possible LSAT score, you may want to take LSAT prep classes. These classes, given by such entities as Kaplan, TestMasters and Princeton Review, among others, provide strategies for answering the questions on the exam. In addition, most review programs offer individualized tutoring for a fee. The prep classes can be quite costly, with prices in the thousands, but for many, these classes can provide substantial assistance.
- The next step is to apply to law school. If you know you wish to be a criminal lawyer, research law schools by reading each school's materials and by visiting the schools to see what schools are the best fit for you. Also, it is best to select both "safety" schools, where there is a high chance you will receive an acceptance letter, in addition to "reach" schools, where you have a slight chance to attend. Be certain to check with the Law School Admission Council (see Resources) to organize and process the appropriate paperwork. The council handles transcripts, authentication of transcripts, writing samples and recommendations for law school applications. Finally, upon acceptance, be certain to follow through with any entrance requirements to secure your place in the entering class.
- Throughout law school, be sure to take as many criminal law classes as possible. Criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, forensic law and other types of related classes are appropriate. In addition, try to include either volunteer legal work or summer jobs where you can gain criminal law experience. Moreover, if the law school has a criminal law clinic, do your best to participate. The clinic setting allows the student to actually handle a case with attorney supervision and become an active member in the criminal law circuit.
- Once law school is complete, you may want to pursue an advanced law degree, known as an LL.M. or Masters of Law. The LL.M. is a full-time, one-year course of study and allows you to focus on a specific area of law, such as criminal law. In addition, try to gain employment in a criminal law-based environment, such as the office of a district attorney, legal aid or private firm that handles criminal cases.