Criminal Justice Job Descriptions

Individuals with a degree in criminal justice are qualified for many diverse careers in the legal, criminal justice, and forensic fields, and they also can find their way into virtually any career path they desire if they are equipped with the willingness to complete additional training, if necessary. The knowledge and investigate thinking skills an individual earns in a criminal justice program can prove invaluable in any number of settings. A graduate should consider his or her background and personal interests before choosing a career. Here are some popular choices for individuals with a criminal justice degree:

• Police Officer
Police officers are generally employed by local government and work as a community’s first line of defense and peacekeeping. The primary goal of a cop is to maintain a community’s safety by enforcing the law. Police officers are empowered to detain and arrest individuals whom they consider a threat to a community, and often have to make difficult decisions quickly. Police officers must all go through rigorous academy training, but those who have a criminal justice degree may be more likely to be considered for promotions.

• Detective
Detectives can be employed by police agencies and private firms, or may work as independent contractors. They are responsible for assisting in solving crimes or tracking down certain individuals. Those who are interested in this line of work may wish to incorporate some forensic technology courses into their study, as detectives today must often prove they are tech savvy enough to handle ever-evolving criminal technologies.

• Parole Officer
Parole officers are in charge of supervising individuals who have been convicted of a crime and placed on probation, often after they have served a jail sentence. Parole officers (or probation officers, as they are sometimes called) help create a rehabilitation plan for their clients, which may include drug rehabilitation or no-contact orders, and are responsible for checking in and ensuring that their client follows their plan.

• Investigative Journalist
Investigative journalists positions are rare and highly competitive, so those who have earned a criminal justice degree can often stand out as candidates. An investigative journalist acts as a detective to help discover the truth behind a situation, and then reports their findings in writing or on television. Investigate journalists must have an inquisitive mind, and a solid understanding of the legal and criminal justice system is very helpful in this career field.

• Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors are often social workers who are employed by counties, states, or the federal government to work in prisons, jails, or juvenile detention centers. Through group and one-on-one counseling, it is the job of a rehabilitation counselor to help criminal individuals reform and learn to lead productive, law-abiding lives.

• Lawyer
A lawyer is one of the most visible individuals within the criminal justice system. Public defenders are responsible for attempting to prove their client’s innocence, while public prosecutors are responsible for attempting to prove an offender’s guilt. Attorneys must hold law degrees and attain licensure to practice law. Public attorneys should be prepared to work with a diverse group of people, often working with many cases at once, requiring long hours.

• Judge
In most counties, judges must be elected to their positions, often after many years of experience as an attorney. A judge is an individual who oversees a courtroom, ruling on the validity of evidence and cases, helping make sentencing decisions and holding hearings. Judges enjoy enormous freedom in their jobs, but are usually highly experienced lawyers, having worked in the criminal justice field for many years.

• Corrections Officer
A corrections officer is responsible for maintaining a stable, controlled environment within the walls of a prison or jail. These careers are often physically demanding and require special training in the use of physical force and handling psychologically unstable individuals. Corrections officers are also responsible for transporting inmates to courts, hospitals, or other facilities as needed.