Expert: Bryan Chant, Esq. - 8/16/2009

Question
I am 17 yrs old and I will be graduating from high school shortly. I plan to attend college and major in criminal law. I was wondering what are some good jobs or interns I should consider while going to school also what are the duties and qualifications for a paralegal

Answer
Hi Kiarra,

There are a lot of great opportunities in criminal law and it is an enormous field.  For example, you could work in prosecution, defense, corrections, or victim representation, just to name a few.  If I were in your spot, I would consider working as an intern in a police department or the public defender's office but any experience would be great for your future career.

The duties and qualifications for paralegal positions will vary greatly.  Paralegals often help with case preparation, witness interviews, drafting proposed discovery responses, and routine communication with opposing parties.  If you are looking for a government job (e.g. prosecution/public defense) a 2 or 4 year paralegal degree will be very helpful in getting a job.  

Good luck!