Criminal Justice Career Options
Law Enforcement
Drug Enforcement Agent- Drug Enforcement Agents are responsible for conducting criminal investigations, which often entails undercover infiltration work, to stop the flow and supply of illegal drugs.
Customs Agent- Customs agents work to prevent smuggling, ensure the compliance of tariff laws and also detect illegal importation and exportation of narcotics and contraband.
Secret Service Agent- Secret service agents are responsible for the protection of the President, Vice President, their families and other appointed officials. They also investigate crimes against the U.S. currency.
FBI Agent- Agents work on the national level to investigate organized crime, kidnapping, civil rights violations, spying and fraud. Investigations may require an undercover operation.
Deputy U.S. Marshall- Marshall's provide security for the federal courts including judges and prisoners. Additionally, they investigate fugitives and protect witnesses.
Police Officer- Police officers work in urban or rural communities and are responsible for identifying, pursuing, and apprehending suspect criminals, resolving problems within the community and enforcing the laws of the community.
Corrections
Correctional Officer- Correctional Officers supervise and monitor the treatment and custodial care of the inmates. They are also in charge of assigning the supervising the inmates work, settle disputes between inmates and enforce discipline.
Child Welfare Caseworker- This type of caseworker is responsible for providing social services to children and young adults with behavior problems. They also work with the children's parents and recommend appropriate treatment and residential placement.
Parole Officer- Parole officers are responsible are for guiding the inmates in preparation for and adjustment to community life. After the inmates are released the officer is the main contact for the person and the officer monitors and evaluates rules imposed by the court parole board.
Prisoner Classification Interviewer- Prisoner classification interviewers interview inmates, compile social and criminal histories and also recommend rehabilitation services.
Court/Judiciary
Court Administrator- Court Administrators assist the judge with the court calendar and case flow. They are also responsible for research and management functions.
Lawyer- Lawyers serve as client advocate and or advisor, prosecutes, regulates and enforces and interprets laws. Lawyers can specialize in a specific area of the law, for example environmental law of criminal law. Or they can take a more general approach and handle cases from a number of areas.
Judge- Judges oversee the legal process in courts of law. They safeguard laws and the legal rights of all parties involved, and when appropriate set bail and sentence offenders.
Probation Officer- Probation officers counsel offenders. Also they will monitor and evaluate compliance to court imposed rules and regulations for the offender.
Forensic Science
The work of Forensic scientists focuses on analyzing evidence and drawing conclusions about the data that May establish a link to a suspect in a criminal investigation. Forensic scientists report their findings to personnel and may have to give testimony in trials. Within the field of Forensic Science there are a number of areas that one can specialize in these include: Arson, Ballistics (firearm and bullet identification), Document, Fingerprint, Polygraph, Serology (body fluids).