The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center offer exciting career opportunities for lawyers and valuable training. To become a lawyer in California, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by the California State Bar Association. According to Rule 4.29, you can qualify by attending an accredited institution such as The Colleges of Law or by working in a law office or judge's room for at least 18 hours a week for four years. In recent years, law enforcement officers have received extensive training on DUI arrests and investigations.
This includes instruction at the academy as well as supplemental training related to DUI crimes. Officers are expected to have participated in numerous DUI arrests as part of their training. To become a criminal defense attorney, you must earn a bachelor's degree, which is the most common degree for this profession. 41% of criminal defense attorneys have this degree.
You can also pursue a doctorate in law (J. D.) from universities such as the University of Florida, Boston University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. The Criminal Justice Program (CJP) offers courses on international criminal law and policy taught by one of the world's leading experts on the subject. It also partners with the Bail Project to make bail more affordable in communities affected by this issue.
Additionally, the Prison Law and Policy Program and Transnational Criminal Justice Program organize symposiums and other events with personalities from the sector. Criminal justice students gain a foundation in criminal law through a rigorous curriculum that combines substantive courses with practical experiences in the field. Alternatively, you can become a lawyer without attending law school by working in a law office or judge's room for four years. In many cases, an officer's training and experience will be essential during cross-examination.
