Advanced technology and increasingly complex legal issues have led to increased educational requirements, especially for positions with the federal government. The criminal justice field is moving toward specialization in areas of technology, computer security and intelligence. They also provide corrective retraining programs to enable criminals to reenter society. The court systems handle individuals once arrested and charged with a crime. The courts determine the action to be taken in each case.
Many positions require a background investigation and reference check.
There are a variety of opportunities primarily in police departments, which include patrol and vehicular enforcement, investigation, vice operations, juvenile delinquency, preventive programming, planning, personnel, communications and laboratory technology. Law enforcement duties vary from county to county across the nation. Most are employed as sheriffs and deputies serving similarly to police and performing duties in patrol, vice, juvenile, investigators and traffic control. Duties may include tax collection, correction and rehabilitation, process serving and court attendance. The state police and highway patrol are two well-known areas of enforcement in the state system.