A career in law provides a wide variety of work prospects that include litigation attorneys, law firms, legal assistants, and many other legal executives. One of wishes to make a successful career in law, must begin from an undergraduate degree like B.A. LL. B, BBA LL. B, B.COM LLB, BSC LL. B, and then the postgraduate degree for example LLB, LLM.  

This law field deals with the offense which is happening against society or state. It is one of the oldest branches of law and therefore, an incredibly thrilling one. It mostly involves terrorism, hate crimes, personal offense, international criminal law.  

In India, during the harsh time of Covid 19 pandemic the crimes have increased at a very fast rate which included white collar crimes, crimes against women, cyber crimes and other cyber crimes.  

White collar crimes are the most influential criminologist of the 20th century and also a sociologist, Edwin Hardin Sutherland, for the first time in 1939, defined white collar crimes as “crimes committed by people who enjoy the high social status, great repute, and respectability in their occupation”. 

One of the emerging trends is increase in cyber-forensic in recent times.  Cyber forensics is defined as “the collection and analysis of data from computer systems, networks, communication streams and storage media in a manner that is admissible in a court of law” 

Cyber forensics per se involves the utilisation of knowledge of computers, computer systems, computer networks and the Internet i.e., it is primarily technical in nature. 

Another violence that has been committed on women is the problem of Domestic violence One in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines, have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines, have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. 

Criminal Law is just like a roller coaster ride when it comes to the point of work, it deals into interacting and interrogating the accused, witnesses, working around forensic reports, post-mortem reports, things found at the scene relating to the crime and more. As a Criminal law you can opt for private practice or work as a public prosecutor.  

Criminal law is not only confined with Indian Penal code 1860 but it includes a wide range starting from penology and victimology keeping in mind Criminology and the best of all criminal psychology.  

Penology is concentrated mainly with the concept of what sought of punishment should be imposed in case a person commits any crime within India.  

Victimology is a subject mainly with the intention of compensation the victim in India and the sought of remedy they should get if any crime is committed.  

Criminology is subject concentration mainly with studying of crime in India and analysing the reason for Commission of crime in India.  

Criminal psychology is a subject which mainly focuses on understanding the psychology of the criminals and what goes around in the mind of the Criminals when they commit any crime.  

Criminal law has become the need of the hour to flourish in India and it is only possible if  post graduate courses are persuade in India 

Criminal Law Specialization 

1) Criminology and Forensic Science 

2) Cyber Crime 

3) Domestic Violence 

4) Human Rights 

5) Sexual Abuse 

6) Crime against Women 

7) Criminal Trial & Criminal Appeal 

8) Murder, robbery, theft, and kidnapping 

9) Bail (Anticipatory & Regular) 

10) Criminal Revision and Criminal Quashing 

11) Anti Hijacking Matters & Anti-Terrorist Matters 

Criminal Law Scope in India 

Due to the increase in criminal cases, opportunities in the field of criminal law are wide. The job of a criminal lawyer is basically to represent or defend his/her client who is accused in criminal cases. Criminal defence lawyer employed by the government is known as public defenders. They can also work as a private criminal lawyer. In public practice, the lawyer can work either for the Public Defender Service (PDS) or Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Criminal lawyers initially start their careers by assisting a professional and renowned criminal lawyer. One can start working individually after gaining some experience. 

A criminal lawyer plays the role of both advisor and advocates the clients. The work profile of a criminal lawyer in India is not so easy, it requires lots of patience to work on a case for long hours. Criminal Lawyers’ jobs mainly revolve around communication with the clients, collecting evidence & actual facts by interviewing the witnesses. They also interact with the police & research in detail about the case. After giving the Bar Exam, criminal law graduates can join a legal firm or they can start their own practice. They can also work at the session court, trial court, or the high court. 

Criminal Law in India: Job Prospects 

1) Government Advocate 

2) Government Pleader 

3) Additional Public Prosecutor 

4) Criminal Law Practitioner 

5) Lecturer 

6) Standing Counsel 

The scopes are unlimited and hence the scope has to be chosen very careful and thoroughly.  

Recent amendments also open ways for a career in the field. On March 28, 2022, the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Identification of Prisoners Act of 1920 is being replaced by this bill. The bill broadens the types of data that can be collected, the people from whom it can be gathered, and the authority that can authorise such collection. It also stipulates that the information be stored in a central database. Resistance or refusal to provide data will be considered an act of impeding a public worker from performing his duties under both the 1920 Act and the 2022 Bill. Here the need for data science professionals will be needed for collecting and storing of data of several persons. So, here also the scope expands for the professionals. 

The emerging trend of blended learning – artificial intelligence and tech merged with law. Here, now a days after pandemic, as the crime got increased in higher rate, the artificial intelligence and technology is being used to control the crime and catch the criminals. So, here also with the criminal specialisation, many persons can join those institutions.  

CONCLUSION 

Building a career in the field of law necessitates an abundance of knowledge, abilities, and zeal. It necessitates social awareness. Over the course of a few months, the world has changed, and there’s no ignoring the fact that with those changes come changes in law, particularly in areas of law that are more significant than ever. 

Because the workplace has evolved, employment law will expand to incorporate additional situations such as workplace conflicts over working from home capabilities, safe working environments in the office, and the employer’s duty of care in the event of future pandemics. There will be new definitions for flexible working and how businesses will decide what is appropriate. Over the course of a few months, the world has changed, and there’s no ignoring the fact that with those changes come changes in law, particularly in areas of law that are more significant than ever. 

Legal tech, with a new need for digital solutions, litigation, with many companies in conflicts with customers over cancellations and delays, insolvency, with the inevitable economic downturn, mental health law, and family law might all experience development.