Criminal Law Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2026 & 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 |
Yes, it has. Criminal law field offers many specializations. See below
- Criminal Litigation
- White-Collar Crime
- Cybercrime
- Juvenile Justice
- Human Rights
- International Criminal Law
Know more about -
You can
- Follow legal news and blogs.
- Join associations that are related to criminal law.
- Participate in seminars to learn about new laws and practices.
Know more about -
To prep for a career in criminal law
- Get a law degree.
- Get practical experience.
- Take part in moot courts or legal debates.
- Networking with professionals.
Know more about -
Salary for criminal lawyers can vary based on, location, and the type of employer are
- For Entry-level 3-5 LPA
- For Mid-level 5-8 LPA
- For Senior-level 8-12 LPA
Know more about -
- Popular Criminal Law Colleges in India
- Popular Private Criminal Law Colleges in India
- Popular Exams
- Most Popular Courses
- Popular Criminal Law UG Courses
- Popular Criminal Law PG Courses
Popular Criminal Law Colleges in India
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
Popular Private Criminal Law Colleges in India
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
Popular Exams
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Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
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- B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)Alliance University, Bangalore
- BBA LL.B. (Hons.)Alliance University, Bangalore
- BBA LL.B. (Hons.)K.R. Mangalam University
- B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)K.R. Mangalam University
- B.A.LL.B.(Hons.)SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonepat, Haryana (SRMUH)
- BBA LL.B. (Hons.) in Criminal LawUWSL, Karnavati University
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UG Courses
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Popular Criminal Law PG Courses
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News & Updates
Feb 4, 2026
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
There are some major differences between the courses in Criminal Law and Civil Law.
Refer to the table given below
| Criminal Law | Civil Law |
|---|---|
| The criminal law curriculum revolves around the legal principles, processes, and practices related to criminal offenses. | The Civil Law syllabus equips students with knowledge of the legal principles, processes, and practices governing disputes between people or organizations, excluding criminal offenses. |
| PG, PhD, Diploma, and Certification. | PG, PhD, and Diploma. |
| Strategic thinking, criminal investigation, trial advocacy, interviewing & negotiation, etc. | Legal research, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, legal writing, and communication. |
| INR 1,000 - INR 15 Lakh | INR 1 Lacs - 4 Lakh |
| Symbiosis Law School, NALSAR University of Law, GNLU Gandhinagar, SIMTS, GGSIPU, Alliance School of Law, etc. | K.R. Mangalam University, SAGE University, Kalinga University, Aryavart University, etc. |
Legal Manager, Contract Attorney, Legal Advisor, Legal Researcher, Legal Assistant, etc. | Lawyer, Advocate, Transactional Lawyer, Family Lawyer, Assistant Professor, etc. |
| Advocacy, Judiciary, Law Enforcement, Legal Consultancy, Education, NGO, etc. | Colleges, Universities, Law Firms, Public Sector Undertakings, etc. |
| Trilegal India, Khaitan & Co., Ahlawat & Associates, Sagar Associates, etc. | Aditya Birla Group, Tata Group, Infosys, Wipro, Mahindra and Mahindra, Bajaj Auto |
| INR 3 - 8 LPA | INR 3 - 7 LPA |
Source - Multiple external/ official sites on the web and data may vary.
Hope this helps!
D
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
One can formally pursue Criminal Law through various course levels like PG, PhD, Diploma and Certification. A course in Criminal Law generally has a duration of 2 to 5 years, depending on whether you're aiming for a master's or a doctorate.
You can get admission to these courses either through an en
D
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Criminal law refers to the laws protecting society against crime. It ensures a fair justice system. Criminal law courses revolve around legal practices, investigative methods, trial preparation, and the operation of the criminal justice system. Criminal Law subjects encompass laws related to crimes,
D
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The seat intake for the BA LLB (Hons) in Criminal Law at Unitedworld School of Law, Karnavati University is yet to be revealed for 2026 admissions. In the previous year, the seat intake for the aforementioned course was 180 seats. Thus, candidates can expect the seat intake to be reletively similar
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To prep for a career in criminal law
- Get a law degree.
- Get practical experience.
- Take part in moot courts or legal debates.
- Networking with professionals.
Know more about -
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
You can
- Follow legal news and blogs.
- Join associations that are related to criminal law.
- Participate in seminars to learn about new laws and practices.
Know more about -
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes, it has. Criminal law field offers many specializations. See below
- Criminal Litigation
- White-Collar Crime
- Cybercrime
- Juvenile Justice
- Human Rights
- International Criminal Law
Know more about -
G
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
It is a law field that deals with crimes and their legal consequences. It has the investigation, prosecution, and defense of people accused of criminal offenses.
Know more about -
I
Contributor-Level 9
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It is a law field that deals with crimes and their legal consequences. It has the investigation, prosecution, and defense of people accused of criminal offenses.
Know more about -
Criminal Law Courses