How to find a job with Criminal Justice skills

A criminal justice lawyer is responsible for representing clients in court with criminal charges and defends them according to legal requirements and procedures. Criminal justice lawyers analyze the case by undergoing in-depth research and investigation that would support settlement claims. They reference laws and state regulations to identify the clients' options for case resolution. A criminal justice lawyer must have extensive knowledge of the legal industry, as well as possessing excellent critical-thinking skills to strategize appeals and negotiate pleas on trials.

A criminal justice instructor teaches students criminal justice-related courses. As an instructor, they must develop syllabi and course plans, prepare lectures, prepare learning materials such as presentations and visual aids, administer examinations, and grade students. In addition to facilitating discussions about different criminal justice theories, an instructor may also participate in research studies and coordinate with other instructors for committee works.

In a criminal justice internship, an intern gains industry insights and practical experience by observing how criminal justice theories are put into practice. Although their duties can vary upon the directives given by a supervising criminal justice professional or agency of employment, they are usually responsible for performing support tasks such as conducting research and analysis, organizing files, studying criminal cases, and running errands. Some interns may also participate in shadowing police officers, gathering and analyzing evidence, attending hearings, or facilitating public service programs.

A probation and parole officer is responsible for monitoring the activities and behavior of a probationary or paroled offender outside the prison, making sure they never commit crimes again or return to the life of crime. Part of their job is to study the offenders' criminal history, develop and recommend rehabilitation and treatment plans, coordinate other services, and ensure that the offender knows the conditions of their release. They maintain an active communication line with the offenders and their families, conduct regular interviews and assessments, and communicate with rehabilitation and treatment programs to ensure the offenders' attendance and compliance.

A probation officer is responsible for monitoring probationers' cases, evaluating terms, and overseeing rehabilitation processes. Probation officers strategize probational operations, as well as recommending treatment plans to achieve probational objectives. They also maintain progress reports, deciding on release requirements and other conditional services to motivate the probationers on adhering to their treatment procedures. A probation officer assesses the probationers' behaviors during the probationary period, regularly interacting with them to identify their challenges, and administering remedial actions.

A surveillance investigator specializes in gathering credible information related to the subject of an investigation. Typically working for private companies or independently, a surveillance investigator's responsibilities revolve around arranging surveillance systems such as cameras and microphones, conducting background checks, interviewing potential witnesses, and looking into illegal activities. It is also vital to gather evidence and upload them into a secured database. Furthermore, there are instances when a surveillance investigator must produce reports about the progress of cases, analyze pieces of evidence, and present findings.

A crime scene investigator uses specialized equipment and processes to examine crime scenes physically and visually. Scene investigators may be given authority to gather materials and evidence to solve crimes. They assist the detectives to solve crimes as they sort details and evidence so prosecutors in case building. Their job also includes fingerprint lifting and collecting. Also, they collect and document trace DNA evidence.