Criminal Law Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope
Diya NihalaniContent Author
Criminal law focuses on crimes and their legal ramifications. Because of extensive legal system and diverse array of offenses there are many opportunities for criminal lawyers. Popular jobs are Public Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyers, etc. The salary can be around approx INR 3 LPA to INR 12 LPA. The students can work in Central Bureau of Investigation, Luthra & Luthra and many NGOs that are focused on legal aid.
Criminal Law Jobs
Candidates can see the jobs below:
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Annual CTC |
|---|---|---|
| Magistrate | Magistrates are court officials who judge minor criminal cases and impose bail in more serious crimes. | INR 7- 10 LPA |
| Judges | Judges preside over criminal trials and make legal and evidential determinations. They are in charge of ensuring that fair trials are held and that justice is rendered. | INR 10- 14 LPA |
| Prosecutor | Prosecutors are criminal defense attorneys who represent the government in criminal proceedings. They are in charge of presenting evidence to the court and arguing for the defendant's conviction. | INR 6- 9 LPA |
| Criminal Lawyer | Criminal attorneys represent clients who have been charged with a crime. They counsel and represent their clients in court, as well as educate them on their legal rights and options. Criminal attorneys can work for either the prosecution or the defense. | INR 5- 8 LPA |
| Paralegals | Paralegals assist criminal lawyers with activities such as legal research, drafting legal papers, and trial preparation. | INR 4- 8 LPA |
Law graduates must pas AIBE exam to practice in a court of law in India.
Specialisation-Wise Jobs for Criminal Law
Candidates can see the specialisation-wise jobs:
| Specialization | Job Profiles | Entry-Level Salary (LPA) | Mid-Level Salary (LPA) |
Senior-Level Salary (LPA)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Litigation | Public Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyer | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| Criminal Investigation | Investigating Officer, Detective, Forensic Expert | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| White-Collar Crime | White-Collar Crime Lawyer, Financial Crimes Prosecutor | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| Cybercrime | Cybercrime Lawyer, Digital Forensics Expert | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| Juvenile Justice | Juvenile Justice Lawyer, Child Welfare Advocate | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| Human Rights | Human Rights Lawyer, Civil Rights Attorney | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| International Criminal Law | International Criminal Lawyer, War Crimes Prosecutor | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
| Criminal Law Research | Legal Researcher, Law Professor | 3-5 | 5-8 | 8-12 |
Criminal Law Recruiters
Candidates can see the list of recruiters below:
| Industry |
Top Companies (Representative Examples)
|
|---|---|
| Law Enforcement |
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), State Police Departments, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF)
|
| Legal Services |
Luthra & Luthra, AZB & Partners, Khaitan & Co., S&R Associates, J. Sagar Associates
|
| Government Agencies |
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
|
| Forensic Science |
National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS)
|
| Legal Aid |
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), State Legal Services Authorities
|
| Human Rights Organizations |
Human Rights Law Network, Amnesty International India, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
|
| Corporate Governance |
KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton
|
| Cybersecurity |
McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, Symantec, Trend Micro
|
Criminal Law Jobs in Government and Private Sector
Candidates can see the government and private Criminal Law jobs below:
Criminal Law Jobs in Government Sector
Candidates can see the government Criminal Law jobs below:
| Job Position | Job Description |
Average Annual Salary (INR)
|
|---|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | Represents the government in criminal cases, prosecuting individuals accused of crimes. | 10-15 lakhs |
| Investigating Officer | Conducts investigations into criminal cases, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Forensic Expert | Provides expert testimony in criminal cases, analyzing evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, or ballistics. | 10-15 lakhs |
| Legal Advisor (Law Enforcement Agency) | Provides legal advice and support to law enforcement agencies. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Juvenile Justice Officer | Works with juvenile offenders and their families to ensure their rehabilitation and well-being. | 6-8 lakhs |
| Cybercrime Investigator | Investigates cybercrimes and digital evidence. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Human Rights Lawyer (Government Agency) | Advocates for human rights and ensures compliance with legal standards. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Legal Researcher (Government Law School) | Conducts legal research and analysis for government-affiliated law schools. | 6-8 lakhs |
| Legal Advisor (Anti-Corruption Agency) | Provides legal advice and support to anti-corruption agencies. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Legal Counsel (Government Tribunal) | Represents the government in legal proceedings before tribunals. | 8-12 lakhs |
Criminal Law Jobs in Private Sector
Candidates can see the private Criminal Law jobs below:
| Job Position | Job Description |
Average Annual Salary (INR)
|
|---|---|---|
| Defense Attorney | Represents people accused of crimes, defending their rights and seeking the best possible outcome. | 10-15 lakhs |
| Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyer | Specializes in defending corporations and their executives against criminal charges. | 12-18 lakhs |
| Legal Researcher | Conducts legal research to support criminal cases and provide advice to attorneys. | 6-10 lakhs |
| Paralegal | Assists attorneys with various legal tasks, including research, drafting documents, and preparing for court. | 4-6 lakhs |
| Private Investigator | Conducts investigations into criminal cases or other matters. | 5-8 lakhs |
| Forensic Expert | Provides expert testimony in criminal cases, analyzing evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, or ballistics. | 10-15 lakhs |
| Cybersecurity Consultant | Advises on cybersecurity matters and helps prevent and respond to cybercrimes. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Legal Consultant (Risk Management) | Provides legal advice on risk management and compliance matters. | 8-12 lakhs |
| Human Rights Advocate | Advocates for human rights and works to protect the rights of individuals. | 6-10 lakhs |
| Legal Writer | Writes legal articles, books, or blog posts. | 5-8 lakhs |
Criminal Law Career FAQs
Q. What is Criminal Law?
A. Criminal law is a specialized field of law that deals with crimes and their legal consequences. It involves the investigation, prosecution, and defense of individuals accused of criminal offenses.
Q. What are the different specializations within Criminal Law?
A. Criminal law offers various specializations, including:
- Criminal Litigation
- White-Collar Crime
- Cybercrime
- Juvenile Justice
- Human Rights
- International Criminal Law
Q. What are the top colleges for Criminal Law in India?
A. Some of the top colleges for criminal law in India include:
- NLSIU Bangalore
- NALSA Hyderabad
- NUJS Kolkata
- Faculty of Law DU
- Symbiosis Law School
- NALSAR
Q. What is the average salary for criminal lawyers in India?
A. Salaries for criminal lawyers can vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of employer for example -
For Entry-level INR 3-5 LPA
For Mid-level INR 5-8 LPA
For Senior-level INR 8-12 LPA
Q. How can I prepare for a career in criminal law?
A. Preparation for a career in criminal law takes -
- Pursuing a law degree (LL.B.).
- Interning to gain practical experience.
- Take part in moot courts or legal debates.
- Networking with professionals.
Q. What is the difference between a public prosecutor and a defense attorney?
A. Public Prosecutor represents the government and prosecutes individuals accused of crimes, aiming to uphold the law and secure convictions. In contrast, a Defense Attorney represents individuals accused of crimes, working to defend their rights and achieve the best possible outcome for their clients.
Q. What are the career advancement opportunities in criminal law?
A. To stay informed, consider:
- Following legal news outlets and blogs.
- Joining professional associations related to criminal law.
- Participating in seminars and workshops to learn about new laws and practices.
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