One of six concentrations offered by the School of Law, Criminal Law & Advocacy will help you become firmly grounded in the theory of criminal law and criminal procedure.

You’ll acquire not only a working familiarity with substantive criminal law—from basic crimes to more complex, federal, white-collar crimes—but also an understanding of criminal procedure, including the constitutional limitations on the practices of the police, prosecutors and courts.

You’ll develop cutting-edge trial practice skills, such as the innovative use of visual persuasion techniques in the courtroom. You’ll learn the significant role negotiation plays in settling the majority of criminal cases. You’ll explore ethical issues unique to criminal practice settings. And you’ll develop and refine your ability to engage in both prosecution and defense work at the trial and appellate levels.

Courtroom simulations and competitions, such as the Northeast Regional Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition we host each year, focus on criminal topics and litigation.

You’ll also benefit from a very active Criminal Law Society that sponsors events on topics of interest in this field and provides networking and other career-enrichment opportunities.