Because of the wide-ranging and complicated job that law enforcement represents, many of the ranks within police departments can be a little confusing. Although entirely civilian, most police ranks are more similar to military positions than they are to traditional civilian job roles, and the police hold a more strict hierarchy that your standard business.   So, if you are looking to turn your qualification in Criminal justice into a career in law enforcement, but would like a little more information on exactly what potential career paths are available to you, here is a short guide to police ranks. Police..

Getting a position in the field of law has always come with the perception that you need to spend many years and thousands of dollars on becoming a lawyer. The reality is that most law firms wouldn’t be able to without their vital paralegals, and training to become a paralegal can take as little as nine months!   The importance of paralegals to the modern legal sector can be seen in the rising demand for them. Employment for Paralegals is expected to increase 8% from 2014-2024, faster than average for all occupations according to the United States Bureau of Labor..

With a combination of similar names and similar duties, it is easy to see why people get confused by the difference between a parole officer and a probation officer.   Both professions play a pivotal role in the US criminal justice system, helping to rehabilitate felons and help local communities, so if you are considering a career in criminal justice and would like to know more about these two similar but entirely separate professions, read on. Parole Vs. Probation: the Differences Before we look at the differences between the job roles themselves, it is important to define the difference between..

The myth constructed around the US justice systems is the once a felon has been convicted, incarcerated, theoretically rehabilitated and the released, that they are free to rejoin society, having served their time, so to speak.   The reality is that there are overwhelming barriers to those who have served their time become useful parts of society again, from an inability to get employment to felony disenfranchisement laws that prevent them from taking part in our democratic system.   It’s easy to see felony convicts as hardened criminals serving long sentences for horrible crimes, but a recent U.S. Department of..

A lot what most people know about life as a corrections officer is built on what we see on TV. Shows like Orange is the New Black tend to lean on the idea that all corrections officers and corrupt or brutal, to increase the drama of the show. The reality is quite different. So if your favorite Netflix show has gotten it wrong, then what is it really like to work as a correctional officer? Correctional officers make up a vital part of our criminal justice system, working to protect the inmates under their care and civilians alike. Working as..

When people think of the US military, they don’t often think of lawyers, until you mention the JAG Corps. Popularized by the ten season CBS legal drama television show, JAG Corps actually stands for the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and while they may be involved in fewer firefights and car chases than in the show that spawned NCIS, the still fulfill a vital role in providing legal advocacy in the armed forces. What Does The JAG Corps Do? Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard has a JAG program...

TV shows like CSI or Law and Order are often criticized for their depictions of technologies that are not in wide use by law enforcement or the judicial system or are just plain made up. However, just like any sector, technological advancements are having a major effect on the US justice system and how cases are assembled and tried in court.   In this article, we will be looking at some of those technologies and the impact they are having in the courtroom. Gathering the Evidence The traditional suite of technologies associated with evidence collection is something most people are..

When most people think of careers in the correctional sector, they imagine working as a correctional officer. While this is completely understandable and correctional officers are both a great career choice and a hugely important part of the system, there are a vast range of other jobs available both inside and outside of correctional facilities. Correctional Officer Correctional officers are the front line of most correctional facilities, tasked with keeping corrections staff, as well as inmates, safe. A correctional officer’s duties revolves around overseeing inmates and suspects awaiting trial. On a day to day basis you might be called on..

If you are considering a career in law, one of the first questions you might find yourself asking is "what is the difference between criminal and civil law." Criminal and civil law form two of the main pillars of the U.S legal systems, but surprisingly most people don't know the difference between them. To make things a little clearer, we've put together this simple guide to the main differences between criminal and civil law. The Basic Idea At its most basic form, civil law governs disputes between one entity and another, from conflicts between neighbors to disputes between huge multinational..

The terms criminal justice and criminology are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing for those seeking to pursue a career or education in either one of those fields. While there is certainly some crossover between the subjects, especially in education, the careers associated with them can be significantly different. Understanding the differences between the two, especially when choosing a college course that could define your professional future, is hugely important. So what are the differences between criminal justice and criminology? Criminal Justice vs. Criminology As a rule, criminal justice focuses on the procedural and policy aspects of the American..