Criminal Law Career Scope: Jobs, Placements, Salary, Top Recruiters/Companies

Criminal law focuses on crimes and their legal ramifications. In India, with its extensive legal system and diverse array of offenses, there are ample opportunities for criminal lawyers. Criminal law job profiles include Public Prosecutors, who represent the government in prosecuting criminal cases; Defense Attorneys, who advocate for individuals accused of crimes; and Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyers, who defend corporations and their executives against criminal charges. 

Other roles encompass Investigating Officers, who gather evidence and conduct witness interviews; Forensic Experts, who analyze evidence such as DNA and fingerprints; and Legal Researchers, who support cases through legal research.

Criminal law salaries for criminal lawyers in India vary based on experience and specialization, typically ranging from INR 3-5 lakhs per annum for entry-level positions to INR 8-12 lakhs for senior roles. 

Criminal law employers in this field include government departments like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), prominent law firms such as Luthra & Luthra, and NGOs focused on legal aid.

With diverse career paths available, from prosecution to defense and forensic analysis, the environment can be demanding and emotionally taxing, requiring strong analytical skills and resilience. Ethical considerations are paramount, as criminal lawyers must adhere to strict standards and maintain confidentiality.

Top Criminal Law Careers

Criminal Law is one of the oldest and most popular law specializations. After completing an integrated UG level course with Criminal Law as a specialization aspirants can consider pursuing a PG level course in the same or even opt to join a job. Some popular law job profiles that candidates can pursue after completing a Criminal Law course are:

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 qualify AIBE exam to practice in a court of law in India.

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Specialisation-Wise Criminal Law Salary in India

The following table entails all the possible specializations within Criminal Law field in India, along with their job roles and salaries at entry, mid, and senior levels:

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

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Criminal Law Top Recruiters

Consider the industries below as the potential pathways for your Criminal Law careers in India:

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

How to Get a Job After Pursuing Criminal Law?

1. Networking: Connect with professionals in the field through internships, seminars, and legal events.

2. Internships: Gain practical experience by interning with law firms, public prosecutor offices, or NGOs.

3. Specialization: Consider specializing in areas like corporate criminal defense or forensic law to enhance your expertise.

4. Legal Research: Develop strong research skills to support your applications and interviews.

5. Build a CV: Create a concise, targeted CV highlighting relevant experiences, skills, and internships.

6. Prepare for Interviews: Practice common interview questions and stay updated on current legal issues.

7. Apply Widely: Submit applications to law firms, government agencies, and NGOs focusing on criminal law.

8. Stay Informed: Follow legal news and changes in criminal law to demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.

Criminal Law Jobs in the Government and Private Sector

Criminal law offers a range of career opportunities in both the government and private sectors, catering to individuals passionate about justice and legal advocacy. In the government sector, roles such as Public Prosecutors and Investigating Officers play crucial parts in enforcing the law and ensuring justice is served. These positions often involve working closely with law enforcement and the judiciary to prosecute criminal cases and investigate offenses.

In the private sector, criminal lawyers primarily focus on defending individuals and corporations accused of crimes. Roles such as Defense Attorneys and Corporate Criminal Defense Lawyers are essential in protecting clients' rights and navigating complex legal challenges. Additionally, opportunities in NGOs and legal consultancy provide avenues for those interested in human rights and legal reform.

Criminal Law Jobs in the Government Sector 

Criminal Lawyers can find various government jobs in the government sector of the country with the right approach and skills. Look at the table below to learn about the various options:

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

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Criminal Law Jobs in the Private Sector

From the above-mentioned sections, we have got an idea about the various career aspects criminal lawyers can look for. Some of the private options in the field of the criminal law are as follows:

Job Position	Job Description	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Defense Attorney	Represents individuals 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

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Following are the most popular Criminal Law Colleges in India. Learn more about these Criminal Law colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the top exams for Criminal Law. Students interested in pursuing a career on Criminal Law, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Following are the most popular Criminal Law courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Criminal Law.

Following are the most popular Criminal Law UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Criminal Law PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.