How do I know Law School is for me?

Question

I love criminal law. BUT, I know nothing about contracts, tax law, real estate law, civil litigation, corporate law, patent law ect.

I have the GPA, volunteer work, and all that good stuff so don't think I would have any problem getting accepted.

If I went to Law School just because I love criminal law would it be a mistake?

I would like to use a law degree to enter federal law enforcement. ie the DEA, FBI ect.

Answer 1

If you want to be a criminal lawyer, you have to learn ALL about the general disciplines of law.After you graduate and pass the bar exam , then you can practice the kind of law you desire, and forget the rest, like tax law, civil law,personal injury law, etc.You can be a lawyer of ANY kind with learning all the basics.

Answer 2

I am also not sure what you mean by loving criminal law. What about it do you like? Criminal work can be among the most demanding and lowest paid (if you work for the county especially) work around. The prosecutor's office and the public defenders make less than what I made with a bachelor's degree. You have to really love it in order to go so far in debt to make so little money. Even many federal jobs start very low on the payscale which is rough when you have huge loans to pay off!

My advice to you if you are really considering law school:
1. Take a practice LSAT available through the LSAC. That is a very important indication to see if you are as competative of a potential law student as you think that you are.

2. Make an appointment with a local law school (even if you don't want to go there) to observe a first year class.

3. Watch the movie "the Paper Chase" and read the book "One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School" by Scott Turow. I have found both of these to be very true to life in many ways!

Law school teaches you contracts, civil procedure, property, etc. I didn't know any of that stuff either before law school. :)

Answer 3

College should really be: doing what you like to do instead of what earns you more money or better status however you need to be confident that you are truly interested in the full body of knowledge you are about to start digging into. If you are a smart kid (and I am sure you are) you will get pass the initial theeting pains of studying a subject that doesn't seem particularly appealing but what you should ask yourself now before you embark on this new experience is what really gets me excited?

is it the appeal of being an aspirant "CSI" guy that is pushing me towards Law or is it truly my call?

you can take attitudinal tests which will tell you what you really would be a good bet...ultimately though it's about what makes you feel confortable w/ your innerself...

Answer 4

Only a few classes for 3 years will be criminal law, and even it will be all doing prep work and learning to outline the case law.

Iam nost sure what you "love" about criminal law but I am sure law school can make you hate it before you are though.

And what law school does is teach you how to think, how to research and how to present infomation,
So it will not matter really what area of law, you learn the principles in looking up and briefing all types of cases.

So what do you want to do when you get out of law school?

Answer 5

You can specialize in just 1 type of law once you graduate. Once you've completed your 4 years and are in the application proccess for law school see which schools foccus more on one specific part of the law you wish to learn or if they will make you learn some of all.

If you really care to help and work with people and the law, then it won't be a mistake. good luck!

Answer 6

Seems like you want to practice law in an area that you don't want to go into. If you think criminal would be settling for less than what you really want to go into then don't. Make the adjustments to go into the areas of practice you really desire. Being stuck in any education or professional field you do not want to be in or prefer really is a mistake. Never compromise. If you compromise once in life you will always be doing it and believe me you will regret compromise. Settling for less than what you want will make your life miserable. Go for what you really feel you want and make the adjustments to obtain your goals. It will suck less to make the adjustments than a life in a career that you really didn't want.

Answer 7

Do you like lying, cheating, and making lots of money? If so, law school is for you!

Answer 8

if you failing bar more than twice time to moves on.