Paralegal

The United States strives to have a criminal justice system like no other, one that represents the true meaning of justice and honor. It can be an exciting world, legal battles fought to preserve the essence of good and evil, to bring peace to victims and atonement to offenders. However, behind the glitz of the courtroom is a world filled with research and application of abstract law. There’s paperwork and contracts, precedents and postponements, the logistics of criminal law. Paralegal degree programs offer the foundation you will need to be a part of this world, from the paperwork to the verdict, paralegals help achieve justice and preserve legal truth.

Paralegal Degrees Description

Paralegals aide lawyers every step of the way through the process of justice, from discovery of evidence up to sentencing. Paralegal degrees provide the foundation of knowledge necessary to investigate cases, check facts, identify laws, find past decisions and precedents, and prepare reports and arguments. Paralegals assist in all aspects of law except what is considered the practice of law, which includes presentation of evidence to a court, providing legal council or advice and dictating legal fees or contracts. Most practicing professionals possess a bachelor’s level degree or lower. Paralegal degree programs at the certificate level can provide the legal understanding and information necessary since most employers don’t require certification or licensure of any kind. Paralegal degree programs at the certificate level usually take between 3 and 24 months and focus solely on legal studies. Some certificate programs require only a high school diploma as prerequisite for entrance. Associate level paralegal degrees combine paralegal courses with general study to help round out your education and provide a more wide sweeping foundation of knowledge. Paralegal courses will include all types of law, from environmental to corporate to immigration to civil, but will be coupled with general judicial knowledge concerning contracts, research, and ethics, as well as contract drafting and document preparation. Bachelor’s and advanced level paralegal degrees are less common, but provide an more in depth look at the professional duties involved in paralegal work as well as legal understanding and more extensive research of precedents and history.

Paralegal Careers

Paralegal degree programs will instill a general understanding of the legal system and judicial process useful in all fields of law, including criminal, property, corporate, personal injury, and immigration. Paralegal degrees are a great starting point for more advanced legal work as well, giving a foundation of understanding and experience to build upon. Online paralegal courses also provide a flexible way to advance you career while still gaining real world experience. Certification through organization like the National Association of Legal Assistants, combines experience, education and examination and can provide a leg up in the job market and can lead to greater benefits and opportunities. Paralegals and legal assistants are expected to see a faster than average job growth potential between the years 2008 and 2018, with a projected increase of 28 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2008 there were more than 260,000 paralegals employed in the U.S., the middle 50 percent of which earned between $36,080 and $59,310, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.