It is not necessary (and usually not desirable) to become a specialist in a specific area of criminal practice while in law school. All students will, of course, take Criminal Law in their first year of law school. Students who are interested in a career in criminal practice are well-advised to use their 2L year to take Criminal Procedure; Evidence; and Professional Responsibility in Criminal Practice. Thereafter, students interested in criminal practice may wish to take a clinic in which students can work as defenders or prosecutors under the supervision of faculty and practitioners. Students interested in this area of practice may also wish to sample upper-level courses in the various areas of criminal practice, including both state and federal criminal practice, and white-collar and business crimes.
Find out more about Criminal Law at NYU Law.