A criminal lawyer is a type of attorney who specializes in defending individuals and organizations charged with criminal offenses. They represent clients in criminal trials, advise them on their rights and work to protect their constitutional rights. Criminal Lawyers play a major role in our society and also for the administration of justice.  In other words, a criminal lawyer represents the defendants in criminal cases. A criminal lawyer is someone who mainly represents a party before court of law and assures justice to the client. 

Furthermore, they mainly handle the cases related to crime against the individuals, property, justice, animals and in such a manner. Most criminal cases include conspiracy, assault, homicide, dacoity, drug trafficking, human trafficking, domestic violence and crimes against women. Moreover, individuals can follow the career path as a criminal lawyer by taking admission into a recognized private or government  law college after completing their higher education.

For Bachelor’s

• Aspirants have to pass 10+2 with at least 50% marks in math, science and political issues subjects.
• Seekers must pass university-specific entrance exams such as DU, LLB, MHT, CET, etcetera or register for the national exam CLAT, which is offered for LLB and LLM programmes in India, in order to pursue an LLB, BA LLB, or BBA LLB. 
• In addition, depending on the requirements set forth by the candidate's chosen university, one must be eligible for either the LNAT or the LSAT in order to pursue an LLB abroad. 

For Masters

• A candidate is required to clear graduation in the law field with 55% or more marks to apply for masters level program.
• Complete a Master’s of Laws program, which usually takes 1-2 years to complete.
• In addition, many foreign universities require GRE scores for LLM programmes.

For Diploma

• Students who have scored 55% or higher in their 10th board exams may apply.
• Diploma in State Laws .
• Diploma in Law.

The field of criminal law primarily aims at providing in-depth knowledge and enhancing student’s abilities to handle disputes arising from various criminal cases. To accomplish such a task, the field of criminal law offers a plethora of job opportunities. Some job profiles are listed below:

• Human Rights Expert/Lawyer 
• Forensic Science Expert 
• Public Policy Expert/ Policy Analyst 
• Criminal Psychologist 
• Government Advocate 
• Government Pleader 
• Public Prosecutor 
• Criminal Law Practitioner 

Employment Sector Jobs

• High Court/ Supreme Court
• Legal Practice
• Law Firms
• Law Colleges/ Law Universities
• United Nations Organization(UNO)
• Legal Websites

Many recruiters from major corporations target potential students enrolled in criminal law degree programmes. The following are some recruiters from whom students can find work in India:

• KTS Tulsi
• Siddhartha Lutra
• Pinky Anand
• Salman Kurshid
• Kapil Sibal
• Parag Tripathi 
• Mukul Rohtagi

A criminal lawyer typically begins their career as an intern to become a more experienced criminal lawyer, for which they are compensated with a stipend.

The scope of criminal law covers a wide range of behaviors that are considered illegal and punishable by the state. It includes: 

• Acts that threaten the safety and security of individuals, such as murder, assault, and kidnapping. 
• Property crimes, such as theft, fraud, and vandalism. 
• White-collar crimes, such as embezzlement, bribery, and money laundering. 
• Cybercrime, such as hacking and identity theft. Drug offenses, such as possession, distribution, and manufacture of controlled substances. 
• Environmental crimes, such as pollution and illegal dumping. Human rights violations, such as genocide and war crimes. 

The main purpose of criminal law is to prevent harmful behavior and to protect society, by imposing penalties and punishment on individuals who break the law.

The benefits of being a criminal lawyer includes: 

• Protecting individuals and society from harmful behavior. 
• Providing a framework for the administration of justice and the punishment of those who break the law. 
• Deterring criminal behavior by imposing consequences for illegal acts. 
• Ensuring equal treatment under the law and protecting the rights of all citizens. 
• Maintaining social order and stability. 
• Providing a mechanism for resolving disputes and addressing grievances. 
• Facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals who have committed crimes. 
• Offering closure and justice for victims and their families. 
• Promoting public safety and reducing crime.

The drawbacks of being a criminal lawyer includes: 

• Inflexibility and rigidity of the legal system, which may not always be able to adapt to changing circumstances or address the nuances of individual cases. 
• Potential for discrimination and unequal treatment, particularly for marginalized and underrepresented groups. 
• Lengthy and expensive court proceedings, which can result in delays and additional stress for victims and their families.
• Burden on the justice system and the tax-payer, as the cost of law enforcement, courts, and prisons can be substantial. 
• Overcrowding in prisons, which can lead to harsh and inhumane conditions for incarcerated individuals. 
• Possibility of wrongful convictions, which can result in innocent people being punished for crimes they did not commit. 
• Inadequate support and resources for rehabilitation and reentry programs, which can result in high rates of recidivism. 
• Limited scope of criminal law, as it may not address underlying social and economic factors that contribute to criminal behavior.