The criminal justice system can be an intense work environment depending on the caseload. Stretching to various sectors- including police officers, wardens, lawyers, judges and public defenders- the law offers a variety of employment options to those looking to break into the field. A prospective employee should show an interest in law, and depending on the career path, should have some background knowledge in landmark cases. The state of Missouri is looking to receive a stimulus grant for the employment of more public defenders, according to ColumbiaTribune.com. Constitutional requirements state that everyone is entitled to representation, no matter how poor they may be. Missouri's public defender system has been overworked with caseloads, leaving them to request funding for 208 additional lawyers. Last year, the state's 370 public defenders handled 88,000 criminal cases, causing officials to request more attorneys to handle the excess cases. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the national need for lawyers will increase 13% by 2018, as a result of growing cases in healthcare, litigation and bankruptcy.  |