Attorneys who prosecute court cases on behalf of a public entity, most often a governmental jurisdiction, are known as public prosecutors. To work as a public prosecutor, you’ll need a law degree, approval to practice law in your jurisdiction, and the ability to find and apply for a position. You may also be required to meet experience requirements and submit to criminal background or other investigations in some cases. Specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, so you should thoroughly research the requirements of the jurisdiction for which you wish to work.
To work as a public prosecutor, you must first complete a formal education program. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in law. Some law schools require you to have a pre-professional law major, while others accept business degrees. Others will accept any undergraduate degree that is accredited.
Your choice of law school may have an impact on your ability to obtain a position in high-profile jurisdictions, so consider where you want to practice ahead of time. Because there are so many different types of legal practice, you’ll want to pick your program and coursework carefully. If you want to work as a public prosecutor, you should enroll in a program that focuses on criminal or trial law.
Most governments require that you pass a certification exam and register to practice law after earning a law degree. In the United States, this is known as the bar exam, and admission to the bar is determined by state. Other countries have similar procedures, and you may need to be certified in more than one jurisdiction if you want to prosecute international cases.
To become a public prosecutor, you will need to search for and apply for job openings, just like any other job. This means you’ll need a professional resume that highlights your skills, as well as the ability to get through a series of interviews. You will also be required to pass investigations in many jurisdictions. A criminal background check, a review of previous employment, and a credit check are examples of these.
Before you can become a public prosecutor in some jurisdictions, you must have a significant amount of experience. This could mean working as a law clerk, junior prosecutor, or other assistant trial attorney first. Internships during law school are a common way to gain this experience. You may also find that early in your career, you need to work as a public prosecutor in a small jurisdiction to gain the experience required by larger districts.