Questions about becomming a paralegal?

Question

1. What exactly does a paralegal do?

2. What kind of schooling, is required to become a paralegal? And approx. how long does it take?

3.Approx. how much do you make?

4. Can you become a paralegal with only a GED?

5. Are there any paralegal school in so. cali.? Preferably in so. oc?

Any and all info you can give me about becomming a paralegal will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help! :)

Answer 1

Hello I am a paralegal in Massachusetts.

1.) What exactly does a paralegal do? --- A paralegal traditionally works for an attorney and provides legal support services under the attorney's supervision. Specifically they conduct investigations; perform legal reasearch; meet and interview clients; prepare documents for attorneys; maintain consistent client contact; etc. Nowadays a paralegal can be found representing people before administrative agencies and working with the general public with basic legal needs.

2.) What kind of schooling is required to become a paralegal? And approx. how long does it take? --- At the beginning, I took a correspondence course (this means home schooling) that was accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC [a nationally recognized accrediting agency]). This course lasted about 8 months (home schooling depends on your study schedule). As time went on and after gaining some work experience with a local attorney, I decided to further my education and earned an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies by a local school. This took me two years.

Please note, there is no law or rule that states you must obtain a degree or some kind of certificate. However I think it is better to education yourself.

3.) Approx. how much do you make? --- I freelance with a few attorneys and my income depends on the amount of work I do. For the past two years I have earned between $65,000 - 80,000.

4.) Can you become a paralegal with only a GED? --- Yes. Although I highly recommend that you get some kind of education in paralegal studies.

5.) Are there any paralegal school in so. cali? Perferably in so. oc? --- I'm from Massachusetts and haven't a clue. A quick search online using the search term "paralegal schools in California" should prompt a lot of information.

Answer 2

Paralegals assist the attorney in every aspect of his law practice. Depending on what he does, it consists of document preparation, meeting with clients and sometimes court appearances. Some colleges offer associate degrees (2 years), however a bachelor's degree is preferred. Depending on the city you work in and the size of the firm, most paralegals can earn anywhere from $25,000 to $60,00. Don't know about Southern Ca. schools. Contact the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) they have a website, or contact the California Bar Association.

Answer 3

The question is "did you know back when you did whatever it was that it was a felony?" Do you know for a fact now what the current charges would be? I don't believe you could honestly say that you "knew" you committed a felony if you don't even know now whether or not it could have been a misdemeanor! I think poly tests can be made to scare people. If you feel so much anticipation about it I would recommend (ready for this) talking to a doctor about getting some sort of temporary anxiety pills. A doctor might be able to put this to rest. What is the statute on that crime then and now? Would the charge now be a felony? I still think it's up to the prosecuting attorney as to whether or not which charge would be filed on you so stop worrying so much because you didn't knowingly have the knowledge to say what the charge would have been in the first place. ................think about it...................