Recent history has never seen our criminal justice system at the forefront of conversation like now. Questions about policing practices, the discretion held by prosecutors and judges, and minimum sentence requirements are just a few of the many topics under scrutiny. The focus on fairness and effectiveness of the system is being looked at from all angles. Lawmakers, the media, and the public are calling for sweeping criminal justice reform. Aspiring lawyers, especially those contemplating careers in prosecution, criminal defense, or criminal justice policy, need to understand our current criminal justice system that is currently incarcerating more than two million people in our prisons and jails and has millions more under community supervision.
The criminal law emphasis at ASU Law is led by some of the nation's most distinguished criminal law scholars, all dedicated to preparing students to promote and pursue criminal justice. Students gain a deep understanding of the criminal justice system through both foundational and specialized classes. Participation in clinics and externship opportunities allows students to put into action the knowledge they gain in the classroom in a real-world setting.
By taking advantage of the many criminal law-related opportunities offered, graduates will be prepared to advance the ideals of criminal justice as either prosecutors or defense attorneys. The criminal law emphasis at ASU Law goes beyond the courtroom, preparing students for a range of careers in federal and state government as well. Criminal Law at ASU Law is ranked No. 24 by U.S. News and World Report, 2025.
Benefits
The criminal law emphasis is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the criminal justice system. The delicate balance between victims’ rights, public safety, the rights of the accused and incarcerated, as well as humanitarian, fiscal, and practical concerns, have given rise to intense debate on numerous policy issues, including mandatory minimum sentences and mass incarceration; stop-and-frisk policies, use of force, and other policing practices; forensics, eyewitness identification, interrogations, and confessions; discovery, plea bargaining, indigent defense, sentencing disparities, bail reform, and wrongful convictions.
Students seeking to pursue criminal justice careers – prosecutorial, defense, or judicial – will be held to the highest standards. The criminal law emphasis will equip students to reach and exceed those expectations.
Students interested in criminal law have the benefit of structuring their own curriculum and tailoring their course and hands-on experiential learning to reflect their individual perspectives and career path. ASU Law is also centrally located on ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus, allowing students ample opportunities and proximity to train with judges and practitioners involved in the criminal justice system through clinics, externships, and courtroom observation.
