Jobs in criminal justice range from dealing with the court system to being on the front lines of law enforcement. The job requirements will vary depending on the field of expertise, but the overall goal will remain the same: to ensure that all laws are followed. The advantage for those interested in criminal justice careers is that there is a wide range of options to choose from, with something to suit nearly everyone’s interests.
Working in a crime lab may be the best criminal justice job for those interested in medicine or science. These forensics careers test DNA and other evidence to see if suspects and victims can be identified, perform autopsies, and figure out how a crime might have happened. In some cases, the work is based on physics rather than biology. The angle at which a bullet enters a body or another object, for example, may aid in determining who the shooter is, or at the very least where the shooter was.
Working closely with people is a requirement in many criminal justice jobs. Police officers, probation officers, and court positions are among these positions. Each of these jobs may necessitate slightly different skill sets and educational qualifications. Some positions may necessitate a bachelor’s degree. Others might just need to be certified a law enforcement academy. Those who have a general idea of what they want to do should do some research on the job requirements ahead of time and make a plan to adequately prepare.
A clerk of court, or an assistant in that office, will occasionally work with lawyers, prospective jurors, and even criminal defendants. Dealing with a diverse range of personalities may be challenging for some, but it is essential for success in these types of criminal justice jobs. This individual will be in charge of setting up court dates, processing payments, and keeping track of all court-related files. This office will also handle a large number of public inquiries.
Local police departments and sheriff’s offices, as well as federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service, employ law enforcement officers. Investigating crimes, responding to calls for service, and making arrests are all part of these criminal justice jobs. Prosecutors will frequently call on these individuals to testify in court. Dispatchers may be included in this category, but they are not always sworn law enforcement officers, even if they do receive some of the same training.