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 |
Yes, it has. Criminal law field offers many specializations. See below
- Criminal Litigation
- White-Collar Crime
- Cybercrime
- Juvenile Justice
- Human Rights
- International Criminal Law
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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.
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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.
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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
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- 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
Popular Private Criminal Law Colleges in India
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
Criminal Law Applications open. Apply Now
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 hours 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 3 hours 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.
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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.
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Criminal Law Courses