YOUR GATEWAY TO LEGAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
WHAT IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE?
Whether we realize it or not, criminal justice touches just about every part of our lives. We see cops on the beat, helping normal people like you and me every day and responding to 911 calls.
When a crime’s committed, police detectives kick it into high gear to find the criminals and bring them to justice. Once they’re apprehended, our court system decides on the guilt or innocence of the accused. And when people are found guilty of a crime, our prison system steps in to punish and/or rehabilitate wrongdoers. At all levels, criminal justice schools play a role in educating police, paralegals, corrections officers, and more.
Whatever we think about this system, it’s doing an important job every day. The United States has more police officers than all but two other countries (China and India). There are more lawyers in the U.S. than in all but one other country (India). And there are more people in American jails and prisons than anywhere else in the world.
And this means there are plenty of career opportunities in policing, forensics, law enforcement, the legal field, and corrections.
FORENSICS
Forensic scientists collect and evaluate trace evidence. It’s their job to analyze weapons, fingerprints and bodily fluids, and perform tests on other evidence.
Computer forensics and forensic psychology are two related professions that also help solve crime and bring people to justice.
Forensics is a popular field because of TV shows like CSI, and you can do it too if you have the drive…and the training.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Law enforcement personnel includes cops and police detectives, but the FBI is our national, elite crime-fighting team.
And the law enforcement branches of Homeland Security are at work in every state keeping us safe and sound. In fact, Homeland Security covers much more than you’d think. See below for the other roles of Homeland Security.
There are obviously many career opportunities in every branch of law enforcement.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Homeland Security has taken on an ever-larger role in our country since Sept, 11, 2001. Homeland Security includes airport check points, immigration enforcement, the fight against human trafficking, cybersecurity, disaster response, and, of course, fighting terrorism.
There’s no more satisfying career than one in which you know that you’re contributing to the security of our country. Find out what you need to enter this rewarding career.
THE COURTS (PARALEGAL)
Once the accused are apprehended, they have the right to their day in court, and our legal system ensures that everyone gets a fair trial. Even if you don’t want to become a lawyer, there are plenty of great job opportunities in law firms, corporations and government, such as legal secretary, paralegal, court reporter, and more.
Paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. In fact, behind every great lawyer, there are smart, hard-working paralegals.
Read about some of the great careers in the legal community, and get the education you need to help the litigation process go smoothly, negotiate settlements, and bring criminals to justice.
CORRECTIONS
If you go to trial and are found innocent, you go free. If you’re found guilty by a jury of your peers, then you’ll be put into the custody of the corrections system.
Here, you’ll pay your debt to society, and be rehabilitated so that when your prison term is up, you have technical skills and emotional intelligence to make a successful reentry into society.
With over 749,000 workers providing for the needs of almost seven million clients (inmates, parolees and probationers), the correctional system goes well beyond prison walls. Corrections (including jails, prisons, parole, probation and community-based programs) is an important part of any society, and perhaps more so in the United States than in other countries.
Learn what training you’ll need to work in the American correctional system.
PAYING FOR SCHOOL
The U.S. Department of Education distributes about $150 billion a year in grants, work-study programs and low-interest student loans to more than 15 million students. This money helps students afford the college education they need to succeed in all branches of criminal justice studies.
Paying for school is one of the top priorities for anyone going to college. “Just how will I pay for it?” we all wonder. The answer is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. According to the Department of Education, this form takes less than an hour to fill out if you have all the required documents, and it’s the first step to qualify for federal financial aid.
So whether you’re thinking of a career in law enforcement, forensics, as a paralegal, or in corrections, read more about getting financial aid you need to afford that all-important college education.
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