Criminal law

Th legal rules, constitutions and regulations applicable for the punishement of offenders.

criminal rules
understand criminal law
criminal law knowledge
criminal legal processes
criminal regulations
understand criminal court procedures

knowledge

cross-sector

Criminal law is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Criminologist: Criminologists study conditions pertaining to humans such as the social and psychological aspects that could lead them to commit criminal acts. They observe and analyse different factors ranging from behavioural conditions up to social background and environment of suspects in order to advise organisations on the prevention of crime.
Supreme court judge: Supreme court judges preside in high courts, dealing with complex criminal and civil cases. They examine the case during trials in order to formulate a sentence or to direct a jury in reaching a conclusion, and decide on any punishments if an offending party is found guilty. They rule proceedings and ensure the trial is held in a fair manner compliant with legislation.
Security guard supervisor: Security guard supervisors monitor and oversee the activities of guards who protect properties from vandalism acts and theft. They assign areas to be patrolled by guards on a regular basis, transfer the individual caught trespassing to police custody and develop safety plans and drills for the buildings and employees under their supervision.
Private detective: Private detectives research and analyse information to uncover facts for personal, corporate or legal reasons, depending on their clients. They conduct surveillance activities, which includes taking photos, doing background checks and interviewing individuals. Private detectives may help in criminal and civil cases, child custody, financial fraud, on-line harassment and may search for missing people. They compile all the information into a file and hand it to their clients for further action.

Criminal justice social worker: Criminal justice social workers tackle criminal behaviour and reduce risk of reoffending by promoting and establishing programs to prevent crime within communities. They assist in prosecutions and help to investigate criminal cases. They assist prisoners reinsert into the community after release from custody. They also support and supervise the offenders sentenced to community service and provide support to the victims and the people closely affected by the crime.
Prosecutor: Prosecutors represent governmental bodies and the general public in court cases against parties accused of illegal activity. They investigate the court cases by examining evidence, interviewing involved parties, and interpreting the law. They use the results of their investigation in order to present the case during court hearings, and to construct persuasive arguments in order to ensure the outcome is the most favourable for the parties they represent.
Law lecturer: Law lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, law, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants
for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for grading papers and exams and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of law, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
Crime journalist: Crime journalists research and write articles about criminal events for newspapers, magazines, television and other media. They conduct interviews and attend court hearings.

Criminal law is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Judge: Judges preside over, review and handle court cases, hearings, appeals and trials. They ensure that court procedures conform to conventional legal processes and review evidence and juries. Judges preside over cases involving such areas as crime, family issues, civil law, small claims and juvenile offenses.
Police commissioner: Police commissioners supervise an entire police department by monitoring and regulating the administrative and operational activities of a police department, as well as developing policies and procedural methods. They are responsible for the cooperation between the various divisions in the department, and overseeing the employees’ performance.
Security guard: Security guards observe, detect irregularities and protect people, buildings and assets. They maintain security at all times by patrolling designated property areas, controlling access at entrances, watching alarm and video recording systems, asking suspicious individuals for identification and reporting infractions and law breaching activities.
Police detective: Police detectives gather and compile evidence which assists them in the solution of crimes. They use investigative techniques to gather evidence, and interview all parties connected to their line of enquiry, and cooperate with other police department divisions to gather the evidence.
Criminal investigator: Criminal investigators examine and process the scenes of crimes and the evidence found in them. They handle and protect the evidence compliant with rules and regulations, and isolate the scene from outside influence. They photograph the scene, ensure the maintenance of the evidence, and write reports.
Social worker: Social workers are practice-based professionals who promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. They interact with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities in order to provide various forms of therapy and counselling, group work, and community work. Social workers guide people to use services to claim benefits, access community resources, find jobs and training, obtain legal advice or deal with other local authority departments.
Youth offending team worker: Youth offending team workers support young offenders by preventing them from reoffending, counselling them for behavioural changes, referring them to agencies that provide housing, helping them back into education, involving them in constructive activities, visiting them when located in secure institutions and assessing future risks.
Legal policy officer: Legal affairs policy officers research, analyse and develop policies related to the legal sector and implement these policies to improve the existing regulation around the sector. They work closely with partners, external organisations or other stakeholders and provide them with regular updates.
Probation officer: Probation officers supervise offenders after their release, or who were sentenced to penalties outside of incarceration. They write reports providing advice on the offender’s sentence and analysis concerning possibilities of reoffense. They aid the offenders during the rehabilitation and reintegration process and ensure the offenders carry out their community service sentence when necessary.
Correctional services manager: Correctional services managers manage the operations of a correctional facility. They supervise personnel, develop and oversee correctional procedures, and ensure the operation is compliant with legal regulations. They perform administrative duties and facilitate cooperation with external institutions and staff providing aid to the facility.
Store detective: Store detectives monitor the activities in the store in order to prevent and detect shoplifting. Once the individual is caught red-handed, they take all the legal measures, including announcing the police.
Polygraph examiner: Polygraph examiners prepare individuals for polygraph testing, conduct the polygraph exam and interpret the results. They pay close attention to detail and use a range of instruments to monitor respiratory, sweat and cardiovascular responses to questions addressed during the process. Polygraph examiners write reports on the basis of the results and can provide courtroom testimony.
Crowd controller: Crowd controllers keep constant watch of the crowd during a specific event such as public speeches, sporting events or concerts, in order to prevent and react quickly to incidents. They control the entry to the venue, monitor the behaviour of the crowd, handle aggressive behaviour and conduct emergency evacuations.
Victim support officer: Victim support officers provide assistance and counselling to people who were victim of or have witnessed crimes such as sexual assault, domestic abuse or anti-social behaviour. They develop solutions according to the different needs and feelings of persons.
Legal assistant:
Legal assistants work closely together with lawyers and legal representatives in the research and preparation of cases brought to courts. They assist in the paper work of cases and management of the administrative side of court affairs.
Lawyer: Lawyers provide legal advice to clients and act on their behalf in legal proceedings and in compliance with the law. They research for, interpret and study cases to represent their clients in a variety of settings such as courts and administrative boards. They create arguments on behalf of their clients for lawsuits in different contexts with the aim of finding a legal remedy.
Security alarm investigator: Security alarm investigators respond to burglar alarm signals and investigate disturbances identified by the alarm system on the clients’ premises. They monitor security alarms and other surveillance devices and contact police in cases of trespassing.
Financial fraud examiner: Financial fraud examiners undertake anti-fraud investigations including financial statement irregularities, securities fraud and market abuse detection. They manage fraud risk assessments and prepare forensic reports including the analysis and verification of evidence. Financial fraud examiners liaise with regulatory bodies.
Journalist: Journalists research, verify and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, television and other broadcast media. They cover political, economic, cultural, social and sport events. Journalists must conform to ethical codes such as freedom of speech and right of reply, press law and editorial standards in order to bring objective information.
Security consultant: Security consultants provide security services to clients and individuals that help them preventing, planning and mitigating threats such as terrorism, espionage, theft, and violence to their organisation, including the buildings, operations, and employees. The services they provide depend on their clients’ security needs and requirements and may include services such as threat analysis, security risk management, security programme development.
Police inspector: Police inspectors coordinate and supervise a division in a police department. They ensure the division’s compliance with rules and regulations, and monitor the performance of personnel as well as assigning tasks to them. They perform administrative duties to ensure the maintenance of records and reports, and may also develop regulatory guidelines.

References

1. Criminal law – ESCO