9. Criminal Law
Median annual salary: $80,799
As the name itself says, criminal law is a field of law related to crime and possible punishment of offenders. The main purpose of the criminal justice system is to deliver justice to all, by protecting the innocent, punishing the guilty but also protecting him/her. There is always a danger of disproportionate punishment and abuse of power which is why criminal law is there to protect both sides. Criminal law focuses on offenses which affect the public, such as rape, murder, manslaughter, robbery, arson, etc. Criminal lawyers usually represent the defendant who is accused of a crime and their job involves much more than simply presenting a case before a judge (which we often see in various TV shows). Because of the complexity of this job, working hours can extend beyond office hours since criminal attorneys are expected to conduct research, advise their clients, etc. Salaries will also largely depend on the case the criminal attorney is working for.
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