Choosing the best law schools for criminal law is the first and perhaps most important step toward reaching that goal. Criminal law is all about understanding what’s right, what’s wrong, and how society punishes crimes. It’s not just about arguing in court, it’s about changing lives, fighting for justice, and making communities safer or even fairer.
Picking the right law school is crucial if you want a thriving career in criminal law. The best law schools for criminal law offer far more than just textbooks and lectures. They have passionate professors who are real criminal law experts, real-life case experiences, and pathways into jobs that can transform your future. Whether you want to work as a defense attorney, prosecutor, legal reformer, or even a legal scholar, your law school sets the stage.
This article takes you on an exciting journey through the 15 best law schools for criminal law in the United States. You’ll find out what makes each school unique, from the types of courses and clinics to their location advantages and standout professors. By the end, you’ll be fully equipped to choose the perfect school to power your criminal law dreams.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Law Schools for Criminal Law
Before looking at the schools themselves, here’s how we decide which ones stand out:
To call a law school “one of the best for criminal law,” you have to look beyond the hype. Great criminal law programs offer:
- A wide range of criminal law courses, from foundational topics to specialist classes about white-collar crime or international criminal law.
- Knowledgeable and respected faculty, professors who are recognized leaders, published researchers, and experienced practitioners.
- Clinics, externships, and hands-on learning, opportunities to work on real cases, argue in court, or help with legal defense and prosecution before you even graduate.
- Strong job placement for criminal law careers, schools with excellent reputations and strong links to public defenders, prosecutors, clerkships, and even federal agencies.
- Location perks, proximity to busy courts, top legal organizations, or non-profits in major cities can mean more opportunities and practical experience.
The 15 Best Law Schools for Criminal Law
This list isn’t just about rankings. It reflects a mix of recent expert opinions, course offerings, faculty expertise, clinical opportunities, and reputation in the field.
1. Harvard Law School
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Criminal Law Program Overview
Harvard Law is consistently ranked among the best law schools for criminal law because of its Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) and its deep commitment to both public defense and prosecution. The program covers everything from basic criminal law to advanced topics like capital punishment and white-collar crime.
Sample Courses
- Advanced Criminal Law
- International Criminal Law
- Criminal Procedure
- White Collar Crime
- Ethics in Criminal Law
Notable Faculty
- Carol Steiker: Renowned for death penalty expertise
- Ronald S. Sullivan Jr.: Former director of CJI, criminal defense expert
- Jeannie Suk Gersen: Specializes in criminal law and procedure
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- 13 Externship Clinics across the country
- Harvard’s Criminal Justice Institute (students take real criminal cases)
- Criminal Prosecution and Defense clinics
Additional Highlights
- Multiple research centers, including those dedicated to race and justice, sentencing reform, and prisoner rights.
2. Stanford Law School
Location: Stanford, California
Criminal Law Program Overview
Stanford’s approach is hands-on and interdisciplinary, letting students tackle real-world criminal justice problems while learning from pioneers in the field. The school is famous for combining law study with psychology, policy, and history.
Sample Courses
- Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project
- Law and Psychology
- White Collar Crime
- Prison and Policing Reform
Notable Faculty
- George Fisher: Expert in plea bargaining and criminal evidence
- Robert Weisberg: Focuses on criminal law and sentencing
- David Mills: White-collar crime specialist
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Stanford Criminal Defense Clinic
- Stanford Criminal Prosecution Clinic
- Three Strikes Project addressing life sentences
Additional Highlights
- The Stanford Criminal Justice Center runs policy reform projects and cutting-edge research.
3. Columbia Law School
Location: New York, New York
Criminal Law Program Overview
Columbia stands out for blending criminal justice theory with real-world application. There’s a wide array of electives, and faculty cover policing, race, and community impact, preparing students for anything from public defense to international law.
Sample Courses
- Advanced Criminal Law: The Death Penalty
- Comparative Criminal Justice
- Domestic Violence Prosecution
- Federal Criminal Law
- International Criminal Investigations
Notable Faculty
- Amber Baylor: Criminal Defense Clinic founder, focuses on policing
- John Coffee Jr.: Leading expert in white-collar crime
- Jeffrey Fagan: Studies policing and gun crimes
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Wrongful Conviction Clinic
- Externships at Manhattan DA’s office and legal aid
- Policy research institutes
Additional Highlights
- Host of the Center for Crime, Community, and Law.
4. Duke University School of Law
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Criminal Law Program Overview
Duke’s program covers all the big topics: from capital punishment to juvenile justice and policing reform. The curriculum balances theory, practice, and innovation.
Sample Courses
- Wrongful Convictions
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Juvenile Justice
- Sentencing & Policy
Notable Faculty
- Brandon Garrett: Renowned for work on criminal justice reform and wrongful convictions
- Sara Sun Beale: Expert on prosecution and federal criminal law
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Wrongful Convictions Clinic
- Federal Public Defender externships
- Prosecution and Defense internships
Additional Highlights
- Focus on interdisciplinary research and real justice system change.
5. University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Location: Berkeley, California
Criminal Law Program Overview
Berkeley has a reputation for progressive criminal law education and activism. Students are encouraged to work on reform, community engagement, and social justice.
Sample Courses
- Criminal Justice and Social Policy
- Cybercrime Law
- White Collar Crime
- Death Penalty Law
Notable Faculty
- Franklin Zimring: Famed for work on deterrence and policing
- Jonathan Simon: Focus on mass incarceration
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Death Penalty Clinic
- Policy Advocacy Clinic
- Partnerships with local public defender offices
Additional Highlights
- Criminal Law & Justice Center offers research fellowships and public events.
6. University of Michigan Law School
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Criminal Law Program Overview
Michigan is recognized for its blend of theory and practice, especially around wrongful convictions and evidence law. The school is famed for its “Innocence Clinic.”
Sample Courses
- Criminal Procedure
- Juvenile Justice Law
- Wrongful Conviction Law
- Advanced Prosecutorial Ethics
Notable Faculty
- Samuel Gross: Co-founder of the National Registry of Exonerations
- Eve Brensike Primus: Expert in criminal procedure
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Michigan Innocence Clinic (only non-DNA innocence clinic in US)
- Child Welfare Appellate Clinic
Additional Highlights
- Strong partnerships with Michigan courts and police reform projects.
7. Yale Law School
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Criminal Law Program Overview
Yale is world-renowned for academic rigor and public interest focus. Students create independent study paths, and criminal law is a core part of the experience.
Sample Courses
- Substantive Criminal Law
- White Collar Defense
- Criminal Justice Policy
- Advanced Sentencing
Notable Faculty
- Fiona Doherty: Founded the Criminal Justice Clinic
- James Forman Jr.: Focuses on police, prisons, and justice reform
- Tracey Meares: Leader in The Justice Collaboratory
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization
- Liman Public Interest Program
- Yale Law Journal on Criminal Law and Policy
Additional Highlights
- Faculty often advise real-world legal reform groups and civil rights organizations.
8. Georgetown Law
Location: Washington, D.C.
Criminal Law Program Overview
Georgetown’s unbeatable location places it right by Congress, federal courts, and major justice agencies. It’s known for trial advocacy and deep work in public interest law.
Sample Courses
- Health Care Fraud and Abuse
- Corporate Criminal Liability
- International White Collar Crime
- Juvenile Justice
Notable Faculty
- Abbe Smith: Director, Criminal Defense & Prisoner Advocacy Clinic
- Paul Butler: Focuses on racial justice, author of Chokehold
- Kristin Henning: Expert on juvenile justice and reform
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Criminal Defense & Prisoner Advocacy Clinic
- Juvenile Justice Clinic
- Prosecution Clinics in U.S. Attorney’s Office
Additional Highlights
- Frequent special seminars on race, public corruption, and justice innovation.
9. University of Virginia School of Law
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Criminal Law Program Overview
UVA emphasizes the “practical” side of criminal law. Their clinics and externships get students into the courtroom fast.
Sample Courses
- Advanced Topics in Law of the Police
- Computer Crime Law
- Plea Bargaining
- Financial Crime & Compliance
Notable Faculty
- Anne Coughlin: Authority on criminal and feminist theory
- Deirdre Enright: Director of the Center for Criminal Justice
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Innocence Project Clinic
- Prosecution and Defense Externships
- Research Centers
Additional Highlights
- Known for criminal justice research and innovative student projects.
10. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Criminal Law Program Overview
Northwestern is famous for its “Center on Wrongful Convictions” and real-world engagement with justice reform.
Sample Courses
- Juvenile Justice Law
- Criminal Law Theory
- Forensic Evidence
- Death Penalty Seminar
Notable Faculty
- Steven Drizin: Focus on wrongful convictions
- Laura Nirider: Renowned for child and youth justice reform
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Center on Wrongful Convictions
- Externships in Cook County courts
Additional Highlights
- Active in national legal reform, advocacy, and research.
11. NYU School of Law
Location: New York, New York
Criminal Law Program Overview
NYU boasts one of the largest clinical programs, policy leadership, and practical opportunities. Their program covers public defense, prosecution, community engagement, and policy change.
Sample Courses
- Federal Criminal Law
- White Collar Crime
- Capital Punishment
- Comparative Criminal Law
Notable Faculty
- Anthony Amsterdam: Renowned for capital punishment law
- Rachel Barkow: Focus on sentencing and criminal justice policy
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- 35+ clinics, including criminal defense and juvenile justice
- Externships with leading agencies
Additional Highlights
- Hosts special centers on law and justice reform and public policy.
12. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Criminal Law Program Overview
Penn Law stands out for interdisciplinary learning, connecting law with psychology, business, and social work.
Sample Courses
- Sentencing Law & Policy
- Policing in America
- Juvenile Criminal Justice
- Evidence Law
Notable Faculty
- Regina Austin: Expert in criminal law and evidence
- Paul Robinson: Former federal prosecutor, criminal code reform expert
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Criminal Defense Clinic
- Prosecution and DA’s Office externships
Additional Highlights
- Emphasis on legal research and policy impact.
13. Cornell University Law School
Location: Ithaca, New York
Criminal Law Program Overview
Cornell offers well-rounded exposure to prosecution, defense, and theory, with close faculty mentorship.
Sample Courses
- Advanced Criminal Law
- White Collar Crime
- Crime and Punishment Seminar
Notable Faculty
- Valerie Hans: Focus on juries and criminal trials
- John Blume: Capital punishment expert
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Death Penalty Clinic
- Criminal Defense Clinic
Additional Highlights
- Strong focus on policy and public interest research.
14. University of Chicago Law School
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Criminal Law Program Overview
UChicago prioritizes theory, research, and social policy. With elite faculty, students learn to analyze and critique the entire criminal justice system.
Sample Courses
- Criminal Procedure I & II
- Evidence
- Sentencing Law
Notable Faculty
- Sharon Fairley: Former Inspector General of Chicago Police
- Craig Futterman: Civil rights advocate
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Federal Criminal Justice Clinic
- Externships in federal and local courts
Additional Highlights
- Leading criminal law research center.
15. UCLA School of Law
Location: Los Angeles, California
Criminal Law Program Overview
UCLA combines classroom depth with real-world impact. Students experience prosecution, defense, and reform, especially around race and sentencing.
Sample Courses
- Criminal Trial Advocacy
- Juvenile Justice
- Prison Law
- Criminal Justice Policy
Notable Faculty
- Sharon Dolovich: Focus on prison law and reform
- Eugene Volokh: Expert in criminal law and constitutional rights
Clinical & Practical Opportunities
- Criminal Defense Clinic
- Juvenile Justice projects
Additional Highlights
- The Criminal Justice Program brings together teaching, policy, and research.
Additional Tips for Prospective Students
Before you pick a school or apply, keep these points in mind:
- Visit campuses if possible. Talk with current students, graduates, and professors to get the real picture.
- Think about financial aid, scholarships, and cost, tuition at the best law schools for criminal law is high, but strong aid packages can ease the burden.
- Prepare early: Getting into these programs is competitive. Ace your LSAT, get great recommendations, and stay active in legal or justice-related internships.
Conclusion
Choosing one of the best law schools for criminal law can shape your entire future. The right program will give you first-class education, surround you with inspiring experts, and open doors to jobs in prosecution, defense, reform, or courts. Take your time to research, compare, and connect with the schools on this list. That’s how you’ll find the place where you can thrive, academically, personally, and professionally.
And remember: A great law school doesn’t just teach you about criminal law. It helps you make a difference in the world, starting from day one.
