Criminal Law Courses

All statements made on this website are opinion only, and not to be taken as legal advice. Reserve your right to argue your case for the courtroom, as you’ll most likely just hurt your chances of success by entering into a conversation with an officer.

Open Law Courses Online

Limits of Criminal Law – Free iTunes Audio –UC Berkeley

Copyright Law iTunes Video – Free Online Video – Online Video & Course Info – MIT

Labor Law and Employment Discrimination Missouri State Video

Law and Legal Thought Free Online Video – Harvard University

Video Game Law Free Online Video – University of British Columbia

US Department of Justice

Department of Justice website

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
DEA website
Immigration Review
FBI website
Federal Bureau of Prisons
National Drug Intelligence Center
US Marshals Service
National Central Bureau of Interpol
Parole Commission
U.S. Trustee Program

US Department of Homeland Security

The missions of the Department of Homeland Security are to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks, protect the American people, infrastructure and key resources, and respond to and recover from incidents that do occur. The third largest Cabinet department, DHS was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, largely in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The new department consolidated 22 executive branch agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS employs 216,000 people in its mission to patrol borders, protect travelers and our transportation infrastructure, enforce immigration laws, and respond to disasters and emergencies. The agency also promotes preparedness and emergency prevention among citizens. Policy is coordinated by the Homeland Security Council at the White House, in cooperation with other defense and intelligence agencies, and led by the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
US Coast Guard
US Customs and Border Protection
US Secret Service
Office of Immigration Statistics
National Cyber Security Division
Office of National Laboratories
Technology Transfer Office

Always in demand, police jobs are listed by city or federal agency. Police officers are the most visible members of the criminal justice profession. Patrol officers issue traffic citations, investigate minor crimes and traffic crashes and assist members of the public while they patrol the streets of their community. While the rank of patrol officer is the entry level for police professionals, extensive training and certification is required to wear a badge. Many departments will offer to sponsor well-qualified candidates to gain the necessary training through their state or local police academy. The median national salary for patrol officers is $62,000.

FindLaw.com presents a wealth of criminal justice and legal information.

Indeed.com criminal justice job listings.

SimplyHired.com criminal justice careers.

Criminal justice instructor jobs can be found on CareerBuilder.com.

Police detectives investigate crimes. They also search for and apprehend criminals. Unlike patrol officers, detectives spend their days following up on crimes that have already been committed, as opposed to actively patrolling. In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that there were approximately 112,200 detectives and criminal investigators employed in the United States. Detectives need to be able to take control of a crime scene and direct other officers at the scene. When first called out to investigate a case, a criminal investigator can expect to work long hours. It is imperative to gather as much fresh evidence as possible and to track every fresh lead as soon as is practical. As a result, it is not uncommon to work up to 20 hours straight, after initially responding to a crime scene.

Criminal Justice Job Descriptions

CIA Agent Computer Forensics Court Clerk Court Reporter Crime Scene Investigator Criminal Profiler Customs Agent DEA Agent FBI Agent

Forensic Science Paralegal Police Detective Police Officer Probation Officer Sheriff State Trooper US Marshal US Secret Service

Criminal Law:

Self-incrimination Traffic law DUI, DUID (drugged driving) Resisting arrest Harboring a fugitive Assault, Rape – sexual harassment – date rape Theft, Breaking & Entering – petty theft, grand theft Drug offenses – possession limits, manufacture Search warrant Tax fraud, tax evasion Copyright Issues (music, movie downloads) Personal Injury Law Automobile Accidents Workplace Injury Professional Malpractice Product Defects Negligence Liability Family Law Divorce Domestic Violence Communal Property Alimony Custody Child Support Visitation Social Services Disability Elder Law Juvenile Law Juvenile Delinquency Drugs Arrest Rates Trial Process Detention Centers Foster Care

Types of offenses Infraction Misdemeanor Felony Criminal Court Prosecution, coviction rates Evidence Defenses Sentencing Three-strikes Laws Police Powers Civil Rights Monitoring Bail Plea Bargains Evidence Jury Trials Non-jury Trials Criminal Record Jail Rates Probation Parole

Starting Salaries in Legal Careers

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that new job openings within the field of criminal justice will increase by 15% over the next decade. This translates to thousands of new positions becoming available to job seekers. Professions in criminal justice, including administration, law enforcement, and legal assisting, offer salaries ranging from $35,000 to $80,000 a year. Many of these jobs require criminal justice coursework, as well as on-the-job training. No matter what career you choose to pursue in criminal justice, you’ll have to pass a criminal history check. Most states have laws against hiring criminal justice professionals who have been convicted of felonies. A credit check is often the next component of the background check, and may include your employment history, asking basic questions about what kind of employee you were, and why you left or resigned. Sometimes, agencies will conduct a neighborhood check and home visit.


 

Legal and Law Enforcement Jobs – Listings

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that new job openings within the field of criminal justice will increase by 15% over the next decade. No matter what career you choose to pursue in criminal justice, you’ll have to pass a criminal history check. Most states have laws against hiring professionals who have been convicted of various felonies. A credit check is often the next component a thorough background check, and may include a review of your employment history, a neighborhood survey, and a home visit. Browse the following live job listings, updated daily.

Each link below lists current openings:	Starting Salary (up to)	10 Year Salary (up to)
Correctional Officers	$29,850	$42,810
Court Reporters	$48,370	$77,770
Criminal Defense Lawyers	$65,400	$85,990
Detectives	$60,390	$92,590
FBI Agents	$42,370	$63,140
Inspectors	$41,740	$69,450
Law Clerks	$44,200	$74,920
Lawyers	$85,360	$155,360
Legal Secretaries	$39,670	$58,770
Paralegals	$38,090	$59,260
Police Dispatchers	$32,590	$67,190
Police Officers	$48,410	$72,450
Private Investigators	$38,290	$64,380
Probation Officers	$43,540	$67,180
Professors of Law	$64,120	$88,370

Source: Legal Jobs Outlook, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Paralegal Jobs

Paralegals work in law firms, corporations, the government, and operate under the supervision of a lawyer. Paralegals assist attorneys by reducing case loads, investigating the facts of cases, interviewing clients and witnesses, and performing legal research. A paralegal may draft pleadings, deposition notices, subpoenas, briefs, and other legal documents. Further, job duties may include filing documents with the court, and assisting at hearings, administrative proceedings, and court trials. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, represent a client in court, establish legal fees, or sign any legal documents. Paralegals generally possess at a minimum, a 2-year associates degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a paralegal certificate. Paralegals with a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, or an associates degree combined with a paralegal certificate, generally have the best career prospects.

Paralegals must develop an understanding of legal terminology, and the rules of legal procedure. They must have excellent organizational skills in order to manage case files and multiple exhibits. Communication skills are paramount because paralegals must interact with clients, experts, court personnel and attorneys. Strong research and writing skills are necessary in drafting pleadings, research memos, and other documents. According to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the average paralegal salary is $50,496 per year. However, some experienced paralegals with special skills may earn in excess of $110,000 annually. Ranked as one of the 20 best jobs in America by CNN, job opportunities in the paralegal field are plentiful, due to rising legal fees, and the fact that more clients are demanding the use of paralegals.